Alliant, G&K Services announce layoffs

Minnetonka-based G&K Services and Eden Prairie-based Alliant Techsystems have both announced layoffs this week.

G&K, a uniform rental company, is cutting about 340 North American jobs and not filling 120 openings. The cuts affect 60 workers in Minnesota, about half at the Minnetonka headquarters. The company employs more than 1,000 people at locations around the state.

G&K spokesman Shayn Carlson said the company supplies uniforms to industries that have been badly hit by the recession.

"Manufacturing companies, automotive companies, printing and publishing companies are all on record for having job losses that are even greater than the job losses we're seeing as the total U.S. economy," Carlson said.

G&K's latest cuts come on top of 200 layoffs in October.

Alliant Techsystems is laying off 70-80 workers at its cartridge ammunition plant in Anoka, after cutting 40-50 jobs in November. A spokeswoman said the company had beefed up staffing to address a backlog of orders but now no longer needs as many workers.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.