An international mining supplier has closed its Sudbury shop but might recall a portion of its workforce, according to a union official.
DSI Underground Canada delivered the news to employees April 30 that its 100-member unionized workforce was being laid off, effectively immediately.
"These are fairly good-paying jobs and it's sad to lose them," said Marcel Charron, president of Mine Mill Local 598/Unifor.
Though not sure of the company's rationale or timing of the layoffs, Charron was told 21 employees will remain with DSI Canada after a May 1 conference call with DSI Canada senior management in Saskatoon.
Management at the Lorne Street shop declined comment.
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The multinational acquired the former Mansour Mining Technologies last October, operating it under the banner of DSI Underground Canada.
"They are planning to reopen the resin plant, which will effect recalls," said Charron.
The plant had been shut down last fall because the formulations weren't up to the new company's standards, he said.
"They told us today they want to open it sooner rather than later."
The shop supplies underground mines in the Sudbury area with ground support accessories such as rebar, rock bolts and scaling bars, among other parts.
Charron was told some welders will be kept on as there remains on some unfinished work with ventilation tubing, brackets and brake sets.
Charron was unaware if DSI is making across-the-board reductions or restructuring at its other Canadian locations in Saskatoon, Sturgeon Falls (an hour east of Sudbury) and Rouyn-Noranda.
As far as he knows, the layoffs are not COVID-19 related.
On the company's overall health, Charron said there's been a slight slowdown since some smaller mines have been placed on temporary care and maintenance, but most of the major mines across Canada remain in operation.
Charron said the thrust of his discussions with Saskatoon revolved around the duration of employee benefits.
Their collective agreement expired March 31 and Local 598 was in the process of putting together proposal packages.
"We're going to continue to have discussions on a closure package and do what we can for our members."
He expressed hope that there will be opportunities for Sudbury workers to secure positions at DSI's Sturgeon Falls shop.
"We asked today if they (members) can be put at the top of the list and they (DSI Canada) weren't sure. They might have to apply for them like they are applying for new jobs, but they said they would give them consideration."
DSI Underground is owned by Triton, a European international investment firm.
DSI, which bills itself as " global market leader" in design, development, production and supply of underground mining products and system, employs more than 2,000 at operations worldwide with manufacturing plants and warehouses in Canada, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Brazil and Argentina.
