Canada: Lafarge Canada Inc. have temporarily laid off 31 of its 50 unionised workers for December 2013 at its Brookfield cement plant as a seasonal cost-cutting measure.
"These workers will be back on the job early in the new year," said plant manager Scarth MacDonnell, who added that the temporary layoff is consistent with the seasonal nature of the business. "It is an unfortunate reality given the weather-related impact of the construction industry."
The future of the plant is solid as it continues to service Lafarge customers throughout Canada and the US. "Lafarge is firmly committed to its Brookfield plant for the long term and we will make the necessary investments to secure our future in Nova Scotia," said MacDonnell.
The Brookfield Lafarge plant received US$631,000 from the ecoNova Scotia Fund for Clean Air and Climate Change in 2010 to gear up for production of a new variety of low-carbon cement. The environmentally friendly cement is set to be in production at the plant by 2015.