K-Mart Gives Five Long-Time Employees the Ax

IRONWOOD, MI - Saturday, April 12, 2008 - The Chronicle was notified today that five long-time employees at K-Mart were let go without explanation. The Chronicle twice called the local K-Mart Store -- once speaking to a manager and once to the human services director -- only to be told that no information could be given out. They would neither confirm or deny the firings.

The Chronicle called the Sears Holding Company Headquarters (the parent company of K-Mart) in Hoffman Estates, Illinois to find out if there was any truth to the information given to us. Company spokesman Chris Brathwaite confirmed the firings making it very clear that it is perfectly normal for retail sellers to periodically adjust their payroll situation. "As you many know, Jim," Brathwaite said, "this time of the year is very volatile for retail. We are simply doing what is best for our company."

Brathwaite went on to say that nothing more needs to be read into our decision. Ironwood's K-Mart is not closing, and Sears Holding Company has no plans at this time to close the Ironwood Commons store.

Jim Albert