Once again it’s fall and the jobs at Schnitzer Steel are turning into layoffs. Nothing says happy holidays like a pink slip. The market is tanking, the upper management is panicking and they’re trying to figure out what and how many lower level employees to get rid of so that those at the top can keep their bloated salaries and bonuses. HR will now scurry to post positive reviews so that the CEO’s rating doesn’t tank anymore, but nothing else will change. The market will continue to fall, the yards will be pushed harder to produce more with less. Those spared this round of layoffs will wonder if they’re to be in the Thanksgiving or Christmas rounds. Those of us with marketable skills have already started looking elsewhere if they haven’t already. Long time employees will continue to complain about the company, some even offering up suggestions for how to improve the environment and morale only to be ignored. The CEO’s inability to get through a town call meeting without 20 “ah’s” and 30 “um’s”.