A contractor that provides security guards and related services to Apple Inc. is cutting more than 600 workers based at the iPhone maker's facilities statewide, including 87 in Elk Grove.
Security Industry Specialists Inc. plans to let go of the workers April 28, Julia Prybyla, the company's director of human resources, said in a series of letters to California employment officials. It planned to notify affected workers Feb. 27, she said in the letters, which were dated Feb. 24.
The Culver City company "is laying off employees who work at client facilities," Prybyla said in one of the letters, which the state Employment Development Department made public Thursday. She continued: "This action will result in (a) permanent layoff."
Representatives of the company, also known as SIS, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Prybyla’s letters did not say whether SIS’s contract with the Cupertino company was ending.
The layoffs come as Apple is bringing on “several” additional security contractors for its U.S. facilities, a representative of the tech titan told the Silicon Valley Business Journal in an email. Most of the security guards SIS is laying off have already been hired by Apple’s new contractors, according to the representative.
“We’re working closely with our partners to ensure a seamless transition,” the representative said. “The safety and security of our employees and customers is always our top priority, and these changes build on that commitment.”
The representative did not say why Apple is adding new security contractors or cutting back its relationship with SIS. As part of the layoffs, SIS is cutting 422 specialists statewide, including 73 in Elk Grove; 81 shift supervisors, including three in Elk Grove; and 22 watch commanders, three of whom are in Elk Grove.
The company is also cutting staff members based at Apple facilities in Cupertino, Sunnyvale and Culver City.
Unlike many other tech employers, Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) has to date avoided large-scale layoffs in response to the ongoing economic uncertainty. It has, however, been cutting back on expenses, including recently delaying bonus payouts for some workers and expanding a hiring freeze.
Last summer, Apple reportedly laid off about 100 recruiters who were working as contractors.
