POINT TUPPER, N.S. (From MetroNews Canada) -- The development manager for a Nova Scotia paper mill says more than half of the mill's 330 employees will be affected by layoffs next week.

Marc Dube of Port Hawkesbury Paper said this week that poor market conditions for printing and writing-grade paper has led to the week-long shutdown.

He says some of the unionized and non-unionized employees will take vacation during the shutdown.

Dube says he's not sure if more layoffs are in store, but company officials remain confident heading into the busier fall months -- and workers could be called back if the company gets an order.

The first vice-president of the union representing about 250 of the workers says the shutdown is disappointing, but not surprising, given the downturn of the industry as a whole.

Archie MacLachlan of Unifor says company officials have told him late summer and fall sales are improving.