Morton Salt Lays Off 77 at Lake County Mine After Water Intrusion

Morton Salt laid off 77 workers at its Painesville Township mine on Wednesday, Oct. 28, two weeks after water forced the company to stop mining operations. The layoffs include 69 hourly employees and eight salaried workers.

The company filed a WARN notice with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services on Monday, Oct. 26, listing Oct. 28 as the layoff date. The notice names United Steelworkers Local No. 1-00966 as the union and states that the eight salaried employees are not represented. The mine has been in operation for more than 60 years.

Morton Salt announced Monday that it had ceased all mining activity after a significant inflow of water was found Thursday, Oct. 22. All miners left the site immediately, and a company spokesperson said the appropriate regulatory authorities were notified. No miners were hurt.

The WARN notice states that the company will pay 60 days in lieu of notice and will keep employee benefits active through the end of the calendar year. It says Morton Salt will maintain a small surface crew as long as it can and that effects bargaining will take place if requested. The notice marks severance availability as unknown and lists natural disasters and other as the reasons for the layoffs. The company has not said what comes next for the mine or the workers, and it did not respond to requests for comment Wednesday.

Grand River Village Mayor Jennifer Hood said the layoffs have hit the area broadly. "The salt mine's been around for a long time. Many generations have worked there, and this incident is sort of a shock to all of us in the community," Hood said. She said Facebook groups have started food drives and fundraisers for neighbors who lost their jobs, and that residents who need help can contact her directly or post in those groups.

Painesville Township Trustee Gabe Cicconetti said in a statement that the township is concerned for the 77 employees and their families heading into the holiday season. He called the mine a longtime part of the community and said the township is grateful no one was injured.

Morton Salt said it is working with independent experts and regulatory authorities to investigate the intrusion and evaluate its effect on the mine. The company said it is contacting customers and vendors. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services has received the WARN notice, and no further layoff dates are listed in the filing.