Poor market conditions are being blamed for the layoffs of between 80 and 100 hourly employees this week at Essar Steel Algoma.
In total, that brings 260 employees at the Sault Ste. Marie steelmaker who have been laid off since January.
Essar Steel Algoma spokeswoman Brenda Stenta said there's not a more definitive number because of works schedules, production and bumping rights outlined in the collective agreement.
The last fall, the company put the entire 3,500-member workforce on layoff notice citing a slow order book.
Stenta said poor economic conditions affecting the steel industry persist.
"If you don't have the orders, you can't make the steel."
The company's salaried employees remain on a work-share program.
The announcement follows more drastic cuts in the temporary layoff of 1,500 workers at U.S. Steel (formerly Stelco) and the shuttering of their mills in Hamilton and Nanticoke.
.jpeg;w=120;h=80;mode=crop)
