Seaway traffic down 35%; no layoffs planned

MASSENA — Despite traffic numbers that have been down by about 35 percent this season, St. Lawrence Seaway officials say there will be no layoffs at the Massena facility.

"Nothing is planned; no layoffs are planned," said Nancy T. Alcalde, director of congressional and public relations for the Seaway.

There were about 130 Seaway employees in Massena at the end of last month, according to Ms. Alcalde. That number is not firm, however, as temporary workers can influence the figure. At this time of year, contracts are beginning to expire and most are not extended.

The Seaway is in contract negotiations with the American Federation of Government Employees Local 1968, the union that represents the hourly workers in Massena and throughout the Seaway system.

"There are absolutely no layoffs planned. They are not part of the negotiations," Ms. Alcalde said.

Fred Carter Jr., the president of the union, could not be reached for comment.

Since the shipping route opened in March, 35 percent less cargo has made its way through the system, which stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. By the end of September 2008, nearly 30,000 tons of grain, iron ore, coal and other bulk had floated through, compared with fewer than 20,000 tons this year.

The traffic downturn is a result of the economy, especially in the struggling auto industry, which is one of the shipping route's biggest customers, Seaway officials said. Since the shipping season opened in March, shipments of iron ore are down to less than half of what they were at this time last year.

The end of the shipping season has not yet been announced, but it is usually at the end of December. All summer, Seaway officials have declined to predict whether the rest of the season, or next year, will see a resurgence in shipping on the channel.