The Mosaic Co. has confirmed that it has sent layoff notices to some 1,060 workers at its Saskatchewan potash mines. Mosaic reported earlier that it planned to cut potash production by 1 million mt by the end of May 2009 (GM Jan. 12, p. 1).
As a result of the Mosaic news, some 2,380 Saskatchewan potash workers now have layoff notices. PotashCorp and Agrium Inc. both made similar announcements in late 2008, with 940 workers for PotashCorp (GM Jan. 5, p. 1) and 380 for Agrium (GM Dec. 15, p. 1).
Mosaic layoff notices have been sent to some 360 hourly employees at the Colonsay mine, to take effect March 8 for an indefinite period. Those miners are members of the United Steel Workers of America. Some 700 layoff notices went to workers at the Esterhazy mine, with layoffs to begin Feb. 15 for renewable two-week periods. Those workers are members of the Communication, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada.
Mosaic reiterated that these are layoff notices and could be rescinded should conditions change.
Mosaic has some 1,500 employees in Saskatchewan. Production at Mosaic’s Belle Plaine, Sask., potash mine is not affected.