Cliffs Layoffs May Be Likely in U.P.

You may remember that a couple of weeks ago, Cliffs Natural Resources said they were cutting production in Minnesota, a move that may result in layoffs.

They didn’t say anything at the time about anything similar happening in the U.P.

Now, they are.

Cliffs is putting people on notice to prepare for possible layoffs at the Empire and Tilden Mines.

The notification is required under federal law anytime a company expects to have to lay off 50 people or more for 6 months or more.

Cliffs says in this case, if the layoffs happen, more than 300 employees at the Empire and Tilden Mines could be affected.

That’s about 20% of the mines’ combined workforce.

Company officials say a final decision hasn’t been made yet, but they say the global economic slump is to blame for them even thinking about it.