Update on Tenaris Algoma Tubes layoffs

United Steelworker District 6 Area Supervisor Jack Ostroski today confirmed to SooToday.com that Local 9548 members have received temporary layoff notices from Tenaris Algoma Tubes.

"We haven't got the schedules yet, so we aren't sure exactly how many," Ostroski said. "But it's over 400 for sure."

Ostroski said representatives of the local executive met yesterday with Tenaris local management and were informed that the layoffs will be effective February 1.

The expected recall date is February 15.

Uncharacteristically, company officials are not returning media e-mails or phone calls and have not made themselves available to respond to rank-and-file employee concerns that the layoffs may actually last much longer than two weeks because of flagging sales.

"It hasn't been a good week for us," said Ostroski. "With the layoffs at Essar, the closure of DDI Seamless Cylinder and now this, it's getting tough for our members."

Tenaris representatives told the union that the layoffs are necessary because of a shortage of orders for its products.

They did not indicate whether the layoff could be longer than two weeks.

"Of course things can change," said Ostroski. "We're hoping things pick up soon."