More job cuts coming at Noranda?

There's news of the likelihood of further job losses at Noranda Jamaica Bauxite in St. Ann.
  
During a meeting on Tuesday, involving the three unions representing the workers, as well as Noranda's management, it emerged that there could be another round of  lay-offs.
  
Lambert Brown, President of  the University and Allied Workers Union, told RJR News that the parties, among other things, looked at the future of  the company and the likely size of  the work force.

"These are contingent whether or not one of the purchasers of bauxite from the company - Sherwin Alumina Company of Texas, shuts its plant at the end of this month," he explained.

He added that there were also discussions taking place between Noranda and Sherwin, the U.S. unit of commodities company Glencore Plc, regarding the price of bauxite.

Noranda was also seeking new markets for its bauxite, in the event that Sherwin Alumina closes its plant, he said.

Mr. Brown said it was too early to say how many jobs might be cut.

He said Noranda's management was likely to meet with the new Jamaican Government later this week, following which there should be a follow-up meeting between the company and the unions next week.

Last December, Noranda laid off  scores of  workers after closing its mining facility for two weeks. The following month it made 13 positions at its Discovery Bay plant redundant.

Noranda's bauxite marketing situation became more dire in January, when Sherwin filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy.

That came in response to the protracted slump in the price of aluminum and a strike by workers.