Jobs will go at Metso

Metso has started discussions with staff regarding redundancies and temporary layoffs in its mining and construction technology division based in Tampere and Helsinki, Finland.

A company statement said the negotiations will affect all Finland-based staff at Metso Minerals, a total of about 1200 people.

According to the provisional plan Metso is preparing for temporary layoffs of varying durations and approximately 200 job cuts.

The company said, "These measures are the result of the decline in order backlog and levels of work due to the global market situation, as well as the need to reorganise specific operations."

The statement added Metso began implementing measures such as flexible working hours, advancement of annual leave and limiting the rented workforce, in the last quarter of 2008. Temporary assignments have also ended.

Unfortunately, the company said, these measures have not proved sufficient, and the outcome of discussions taking place with staff now will be announced at the beginning of March.

Metso said the effect of these measures on different employee groups will be clarified as the discussions proceed.

"The objective is to ensure that employees' levels of professional skill and the quality of Metso's customer service remains at a high level," the company added.

Plans are also underway to reduce the number of staff working in other areas of the business.

Metso employs approximately 1300 mining and construction technology staff with about 9300 based in Finland. The company is a global supplier of sustainable technology and services for mining, construction, power generation, automation, recycling and the pulp and paper industries.