COVID-19 slowdowns are impacting another mine. This time, it's Keetac, which is owned by U.S. Steel.
The company said in a statement on Thursday that they have issued WARN notices for all potentially impacted employees. "In the near term, we expect this to impact approximately 75 employees with three year of service or less. Over the next month, the temporary layoffs are expected to affect a total of approximately 375 employees," the statement read.
This includes union and non-union staff.
According to a letter from the United Steelworkers Local 2660, the company and union met on Wednesday, and that there will be some layoffs that go into effect on Sunday the 19th.
The letter said that all operations people with three years or less will be affected that day. Maintenance employees with 3 three years or less will continue working until the current outage is complete.
Local 2660 leaders continue to negotiate a layoff minimization plan daily with the company.
- S. Steel also said they are, "indefinitely idling the Keetac facility to respond to the sudden and dramatic decline in business conditions resulting from the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic."
- S. Steel also owns Minntac, the region's largest mine. Union leaders said they have not been notified of any layoffs there yet.
Northshore Mining, which is owned by Cleveland-Cliffs, is being temporarily idled this week. About 470 of its employees are being laid off.
https://www.wdio.com/mining-news/keetac-layoffs-mining-range-covid-19-steelworkers/5701392/