Intel swings the axe again with new round of job cuts

Intel has filed a new Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act notice in Arizona, indicating that up to 97 employees at its Chandler facility may be laid off, according to records filed with the state’s Department of Economic Security. 

This latest announcement was issued on 25 August, marking the third WARN notice Intel has submitted in Arizona within 12 months. The first of these, filed on 15 October 2024, projected that 385 employees could be affected. In July this year, an updated notice escalated the anticipated impact dramatically to nearly 700 layoffs—more than four times the initial figure. 

Under the WARN Act, employers must provide 60 days’ notice prior to a mass layoff, offering employees advance warning and access to retraining or unemployment support measures. In this case, Intel must comply with those statutory obligations. 

An Intel spokesperson previously told 12News that the company is “taking steps to become a leaner, faster and more efficient company.” This statement aligns with broader corporate cost-cutting strategies. In 2024, Intel’s CEO announced a planned 15 per cent reduction in global workforce aimed at saving US$10 billion in costs.

The cumulative impact of these WARN notices reveals an intensifying contraction in Intel’s Arizona operations. Historically, Intel has been a major employer in the Chandler area, often cited as one of the city's largest, with employment figures reaching up to 12,000 jobs.

Further complicating matters, President Donald Trump recently announced that the U.S. government had secured a 10 per cent stake in Intel—a development that followed grants awarded to the company under the CHIPS and Science Act. 

While the government injection offers a financial lifeline, the continued layoff notices suggest that internal restructuring remains a priority. Intel appears determined to reshape its operations amid financial pressures and industry headwinds.

These developments underscore a difficult balancing act for Intel: managing workforce reductions while navigating public investment and retaining its economic footprint in Arizona communities. The repeated WARN filings signal that further workforce adjustments remain on the horizon.