Cliffs confirms layoffs

Posted: 12.04.2008 at 11:34 AM

Read more: Local, State, Economy, Business, Community, Cliffs, Cci, Mining, Iron, Layoffs, Marquette County, Ishpeming, 350, Employees, Workforce, Fire, Let Go

Up to 350 jobs are at risk.

MARQUETTE COUNTY -- What's been talked about since mid-November is now a reality on the Marquette Iron Range.

Cliffs announced today that production at the Tilden and Empire Mines is being cut in half. That means up to 350 employees will be laid off beginning in early January.

According to a company press release, the employee headcount will be adjusted to reflect the decreased demand and the economic slowdown.

“It’s very unfortunate to have to reduce overall pellet production and delay our Empire plans,” says Cliffs President Donald Gallagher. “However, as the global economic slowdown continues to impact the North American steel industry, our customers need fewer pellets. We need to balance our production and pellet inventory with customer demand.”

Earlier this year, Cliffs announced, in compliance with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, by notifying the company and the United Steelworkers of the potential for what has been confirmed Thursday.

Read the entire press release here.

Previous related stories:

Cliffs merger is off - November 18, 2008
Cliffs and Alpha Natural Resources to go separate ways.
Cliffs layoff concerns - November 10, 2008
Earliest any layoffs could begin is January.
Cliffs announces 300+ possible layoffs - November 7, 2008
Tilden and Empire workers could be affected by the downturn in the global economy.
Big profits for Alpha Natural Resources - October 30, 2008
This, after Cliffs announces production cuts Tuesday.
Cliffs announces production cuts - October 29, 2008
The announcement doesn't mention the Marquette County mines.