Nearly 500 US Cellular Workers in Iowa Set for Layoffs in June

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Nearly 500 US Cellular employees in Iowa will face layoffs starting June 2, according to Iowa Workforce Development. This decision is part of a larger strategy as US Cellular sells its wireless operations to T-Mobile, impacting approximately 4,100 jobs nationwide.

The layoffs in Iowa include over 140 workers across 13 communities, with Johnston being the hardest hit, as 39 employees will lose their jobs. Other affected cities include Des Moines, Fort Dodge, and Cedar Rapids, where 214 workers will be laid off, including 183 at a US Cellular call center and additional staff at various corporate-owned stores.

“These layoffs are part of our transition and acquisition process,” said Izik Youker, employee relations director for US Cellular. “While we understand the impact this has on employees, we will offer a majority of them positions with T-Mobile that align with their current pay and benefits.”

The WARN Act notifications indicate that the layoffs are expected to be effective June 2, 2025, or within 14 days after. Locations affected in Cedar Rapids include stores at 2315 Edgewood Rd. SW, 5300 Edgewood Rd. NE, and at Lindale Mall, 4444 First Ave. NE. Additional layoffs will impact 10 employees in Iowa City and eight in Coralville.

In May 2024, the planned acquisition of US Cellular by T-Mobile was announced, with the deal valued at approximately $4.4 billion, and is expected to finalize in mid-2025. US Cellular, based in Chicago, ranks as the fourth-largest full-service wireless carrier in the United States.