Genesis calls workers back

Genesis Alkali is calling some of its workers back following layoffs at its mine this summer.

David Caplan, the company’s communications director, described the number of people being called back as “modest,” but said the market outlook going into 2021 has the company feeling confident about bringing more employees back.

Caplan said one of the main reasons the company is calling workers back is that many of its older workers, some of whom have worked for more than 40 years at the facility, are looking at retiring. Caplan said as those people retire, the company plans to call back more employees through that attrition.

“There’s some timing issues with pensions, but it’s clear to Genesis that into 2021 we will be bringing back employees,” Caplan said. “We’re cautiously optimistic.”

The coronavirus pandemic hit the area’s trona mines during the summer, causing facilities operated by Genesis Alkali to layoff employees as demand for natural soda ash declined in many markets the companies operated in.

For Genesis Alkali, reductions in workforce occurred at both its facility outside Green River and corporate offices in Philadelphia.

“I had hoped we could avoid taking this difficult action, but we have exhausted all of our other options,” Ed Flynn, Executive Vice-President and President of Genesis Alkali wrote in a company-wide memo to employees in June.