FedEx closing four SWFL facilities, laying off over 200

FedEx is laying off 221 employees and eight managers in Southwest Florida as it closes three facilities across the region.

In four letters sent to the state this week, Federal Express Corp. announced the job cuts saying it was shutting down two shipping facilities in Naples and one each in Fort Myers and Punta Gorda.

The Memphis delivery giant wrote in the letter that an unspecified number of employees who work at the facilities would be transferred. It also said employees whose positions are being eliminated "will be provided options to consider, including relocation, severance or a leave of absence during which they may pursue other positions within the company.” 

The last day for the employees who are losing their jobs is July 29.

As for why it was closing the facilities, a spokesperson says in an email to the Business Observer that "each market is unique and operational decisions such as this are based on a number of factors, including volume fluctuations, customer demand, facility footprints and more. 

"Decisions of this nature are never made lightly, and are the result of much thought and consideration for the needs of our business."

According to the letters, the facilities that are closing are:

• 1485 Railhead Blvd., Suite 1, Naples, where 49 courier and two manager jobs are being eliminated.
• 3885 Mercantile Ave., Naples, where 32 courier and one manager jobs are being eliminated.
• 7569 Golf Course Blvd., Punta Gorda, where 76 courier and two manager jobs are being eliminated.
• 12501 Metro Parkway, Fort Myers, where 64 courier and three manager jobs are being eliminated.

FedEx sent the letters to meet WARN Notice requirements. Federal law requires companies to provide states with Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification notices when making job cuts.