Tenaris Algoma Tubes has resumed operations this week at its Sault Ste. Marie tube mill, calling back 175 laid-off hourly workers afer a six-week shutdown.
"A good number of our employees were called back during the six-week period for training and other programs," said Chris Belsito, the company's Canadian spokesperson.
Even during the recent shutdown, the tube manufacturer continued to look for opportunities for its employees, Belsito said.
"A good number of our employees were called back during the six-week period for training and other programs," Belsito said.
Before oil prices fell and the primary market for Tenaris Algoma Tubes seamless tubes dropped off earlier this year, the mill employed more than 400 hourly production and service personnel.
After a two-week shut down in February, 133 of those were not called back.
Early in March, another 57 hourly production and service personnel were put on indefinite layoff.
Then on March 20, production was suspended for six weeks and all but 15 of the remaining 250 hourly production and service personnel were put on indefinite layoff.
"We are monitoring market conditions and see a continue to see a downturn," said Belsito. "We are adjusting production to demand."
Of the 235 Tenaris Algoma Tubes employees laid off for the six-week shut down on March 20, 60 have not been called back.
That brings the total of hourly production and service personnel currently on indefinite layoff from Tenaris Algoma Tubes to 250 - moe than half the production and service workforce as it was in January 2009.
The date those employees could be recalled will be dependent upon market conditions and other opportunities that may develop, Belsito said.