Aircraft maker and defense contractor Boeing Co. was one of the largest casualties of the day, saying it would cut an additional 5,500 jobs this year, bringing its total cuts to 10,000 as the company struggles with dwindling demand for new aircraft.
Earlier this month, Boeing (BA, Fortune 500) announced plans to shed 4,500 jobs in its Commercial Airplanes division. But the additional job cuts will be across various other parts of the company.
Coffee chain Starbucks Corp. (SBUX, Fortune 500) also said it would be cutting up to 6,700 jobs, mostly due to store closings and a slower rate of store openings.
Meanwhile insurance giant Allstate Corp. (ALL, Fortune 500) said it would be cutting 1,000 jobs over the next two years, Internet company AOL, a division of CNNMoney.com parent Time Warner, intends to cut 700 jobs, according to an internal memo, and health care company Abbott Laboratories said it would be cutting 200 positions.
Electronics parts maker Jabil Circuit (JBL, Fortune 500) announced plans to eliminate 3,000 jobs on a global basis, and Japanese automaker Nissan (NSANY) said it would be cutting 110 U.S. jobs as it closes four regional offices.
Computer maker Dell Inc. (DELL, Fortune 500) also said it would be reducing the size of its workforce, but did not specify by how much.
Wednesday's announcements bring the total number of job cuts this week to more than 100,000. On Monday alone, seven companies from a broad range of industries announced a total of 71,400 job cuts.
The news comes on the same day the Labor Department reported that the total number of mass layoffs in 2008 was the highest level since 2001.
The government defines mass layoffs as those that involve "at least 50 persons from a single employer."
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