Foxwoods offers to make its 700 layoffs voluntary

CONNECTICUT -- As reported by The Day: "Instead of waiting for the axe to fall, some employees at Foxwoods Resort Casino and MGM Grand at Foxwoods will have the opportunity to raise their hands and volunteer to leave their posts at the casinos, according to a memo sent to employees on Wednesday.

"The Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, which operates the casinos, announced last week that because of declining revenues and the challenging economic climate, 700 workers would be laid off on or by Oct. 17.

"...Several employees have approached management and asked if they could volunteer to be laid off, rather than for the jobs to be cut randomly, according to the memo.

"So, interested employees will have until noon on Monday, Oct. 13 to express interest in the 'voluntary separation program.'

"...In the memo, which came from Barry Cregan, interim president of Foxwoods, 'certain departments will not be eligible.'..."