SARASOTA — First Coast Security has laid off nearly 300 employees in Florida, including 74 on the Gulf Coast.
The Jacksonville-based security company said in a letter to the state that the cuts came after it lost its contract with Trulieve, the Tallahassee-based medical cannabis company. “This was determined by our client as they chose an alternate option for security.”
The letter was sent to meet federal law requirements for retraining and notification of worker accommodation. The layoffs took place on January 4, although the letter was not posted on the Florida WARN website until January 28.
Christine Cumming, First Coast’s director of human resources and the person who signed the letter, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on how the loss of the contract would affect the company or whether the laid-off employees would receive compensation. severance pay or would be rehired if the company wins new contracts.
Truelieve did not respond to an email asking why the company broke its contract.
The job cuts mainly concern armed security guards, of whom 283 lost their jobs. In addition to the guards, two executives and four supervisors were cut.
The cuts are also happening at dispensaries in nearly every corner of the state, from Port Charlotte to Pensacola and from the Keys to St. Augustine. On the Gulf Coast, at least 30 communities are affected.
