Linn Andersson, Boliden Rönnskär.
On March 10, Boliden Rönnskär issued redundancy notices for 200 positions. Now, following negotiations between the union and management, a new organisational structure has been agreed, covering a total of 762 roles.
However, it is still unclear how many employees will ultimately lose their jobs, as talks are ongoing, Boliden Rönnskär said in a press release on Thursday morning. In March, the company had around 870 employees, according to information provided to Norran.
– The goal is to finalise this and provide individual notices before the summer, the company said.
Boliden Rönnskär also announced it is considering outsourcing parts of its operations, which could mean further changes to the organisation this autumn, once the review is complete.
– Together with Rönnskär’s management, I’m confident that this new structure represents a vital step in the transformation we need to achieve a long-term profitable business – a company that’s attractive both to invest in and to work for, said site manager Linn Andersson in the press release.
She cited “significant financial challenges” as the reason for the restructuring.
– The business’s financial results have recently been hit by several factors – including the production loss after the fire at the electrolysis plant, rising inflation, low treatment charges, and high and increasing prices for input materials, she said.
Ronnie Allzén, chair of IF Metall at Boliden Rönnskär, believes the company has, in principle, done a good job with the reorganisation – but is still unhappy about the overall reduction in jobs.
– But that’s the way it is. The company owns the organisation, he told Norran.
Allzén also said it’s too early to say exactly how many people will be laid off. What is clear, however, is that around 110 roles are affected – fewer than the 200 originally flagged in March. About 90 of those are IF Metall jobs; the rest are white-collar positions.
Ronnie Allzén chair of IF Metall at Boliden Rönnskär
One reason it’s hard to give a firm number is that some staff may have left the company for other reasons, such as retirement.
– The next step is to staff the new organisation, and then we’ll see how many people are actually made redundant, said Allzén.
What’s the mood like at work?
– I’ve been busy in meetings and haven’t had time to get a sense of it, but I imagine people are anxious. They’re reading about the new structure on the intranet and wondering how it will affect them.
How has it been since the lay-off notice was issued?
– It’s been up and down. Some are indifferent, others are worried, and some are just taking it as it comes, said Allzén.