News Summary
CNC Logistics has ended its operations in Durham, North Carolina, resulting in the layoff of 75 workers after Amazon terminated their contract. The closure includes 69 delivery associates, five dispatchers, and a station manager, all affected by unforeseen business circumstances. These layoffs follow a trend of Amazon’s recent delivery partnerships reevaluating their agreements, reflecting ongoing challenges in the gig economy and subcontracted employment models. CNC Logistics has also recently closed another location, impacting additional workers.
Durham, North Carolina — CNC Logistics Ends Operations, Lays Off 75 Workers After Amazon Contract Termination
The last-mile delivery company CNC Logistics has shut down its operations in Durham, North Carolina, resulting in layoffs for 75 employees, including delivery associates, dispatchers, and a station manager. The closure comes after Amazon severed its business relationship with CNC Logistics at the Durham delivery station, DRT8.
Details of Closure and Workforce Impact
CNC Logistics ceased operations at the Durham delivery station on September 26, 2025. The company’s president, Timothy Thomas, submitted a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) letter to the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the mayor of Durham, Leonardo Williams, informing them of the layoffs. The WARN notice indicated that the layoffs resulted from “unforeseeable business circumstances,” and was issued less than 60 days after Amazon informed CNC of the contract termination on August 27, 2025.
Among those laid off, 69 were delivery associates responsible for last-mile delivery tasks. Additionally, five dispatchers and one station manager were affected by the shutdown. The workers affected by this closure were reportedly not unionized and had no bumping rights, meaning they could not transfer to other positions within the company.
Reason for Sudden Closure and Company’s Explanation
The contract termination was confirmed by an Amazon spokesperson, who stated that CNC Logistics has exited the Amazon Delivery Service Partner program. However, no specific reasons were provided for the termination of the contract. The abrupt end to the partnership led to immediate operational shutdowns and layoffs.
Additional Layoffs in the Region and Nationwide
The Durham layoffs are part of a broader pattern affecting Amazon’s delivery partnerships. In a similar move, another Amazon partner, Safeway Logistics, announced layoffs of 72 contract workers in Kinston, North Carolina. Both companies are involved in providing last-mile delivery services to Amazon, which began its Delivery Service Partner (DSP) program in 2018 and has since partnered with over 4,400 small businesses nationwide.
Nationwide, Amazon remains a significant employer, ranking as the sixth-largest employer in North Carolina and the second-largest private employer in the United States, with over 1.5 million employees globally. The company’s reliance on its expansive delivery network has made changes in its delivery partnerships influential across multiple regions.
Recent Service Partner Closures and Broader Context
In addition to its operations in Durham, CNC Logistics recently shut down its location in Palatine, Illinois, impacting 57 workers. These recent closures highlight ongoing shifts within Amazon’s last-mile delivery operations, which are influenced by contract changes and company restructuring efforts.
Workers’ Rights and Notification Issues
The layoffs caused by these contract cancellations have raised concerns about workers’ rights and job security. Employees affected by the closures did not receive prior notice of layoffs, as the WARN letter was the primary communication, citing “unforeseeable business circumstances” as the reason for the short notice.
Overall, the recent developments underscore the challenges of gig-based and subcontracted employment models, particularly when corporate decisions lead to sudden closures and layoffs without prior warnings.
Background Context
Amazon’s Delivery Service Partner program, launched in 2018, aimed to expand the company’s delivery capacity through partnerships with small businesses. While this model has enabled rapid growth, it has also faced criticism for its lack of job security and benefits for contract workers. The recent closures in Durham and Illinois are part of what some industry observers say is a larger pattern of contract reevaluation and restructuring within Amazon’s delivery operations.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- News Observer: CNC Logistics Ends Operations in Durham
- Business North Carolina: Durham Delivery Company Closes
- CBS 17: Durham-Based Nonprofit Announces Layoffs
- FreightWaves: Layoffs Hit Freight Industry
- NC Newsline: Amazon Labor Organizers Challenge Election Loss
- Wikipedia: Amazon (company)
- Google Search: Amazon Delivery Service Partner program
- Google Scholar: A Study on Gig Economy and Job Security
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Gig Economy
- Google News: Amazon layoffs
Author: STAFF HERE RALEIGH WRITER
RALEIGH STAFF WRITER The RALEIGH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERaleigh.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Raleigh, Wake County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh Arts Festival, and the Hopscotch Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Visit Raleigh, plus leading businesses in technology and education that power the local economy such as Red Hat and NC State University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
