Pueblo US based contractor Wanzek has terminated 666 contract employees working on the new EVRAZ rail mill on 3 January 2023. Colorado Department of Labor & Employment letter to the Mayor of Pueblo Mr Nick Gradisar and the Board of County Commissioners Mr Garrison M Ortiz said “This letter is being issued in order to notify you in accordance with the Federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act that Wanzek is ending its operations at the Pueblo EVRAZ based on the unforeseeable cancellation of Wanzek's contract to perform project work at that site by Palmer in Pueblo. The Company will close all operations permanently effective 3 January 2023, with all employees terminating on that date. There are 666 employees who will be laid off on 3 January. Wanzek is not a union facility, and there are no bumping rights. Wanzek hired all employees with the understanding that they would be employed only for this project.” The termination comes amid a lawsuit brought against the contractor Waznek by Palmer, allegedly citing multiple instances of negligence and breaches of contract by Wanzek. The lawsuit details the alleged lack of oversight and commitment to contract promises by Wanzek. The first is the lack of hiring of competent personnel and workers, which has been the direct cause of unnecessary delays and substantial extra costs to the project. The lawsuit also details incidents of workplace accidents that, while not fatal, could have led to extremely dangerous situations, including death. EVRAZ North America clarified “EVRAZ North America is in the process of transitioning to a new General Contractor to complete construction on the new rail mill. Construction will continue with a new General Contractor in place to ensure the overall safety, quality, and timeliness of the project. The work is not going away, and no EVRAZ NA employees are being let go as a result of this change. We look forward to retaining many of the project’s current subcontractors as we work to complete the project. We’re confident that these changes will help us to successfully complete the rail mill project, allowing us to best serve our workforce, our customers, and the Pueblo, CO community for many years to come. EVRAZ North America is committed to the growth, longevity, and ongoing success of our operations in Pueblo.” EVRAZ North America Pueblo Senior Vice President David Ferryman also said “The new additions, when complete, will make the EVRAZ steel mill compete with major competitors in Asia. The new mill, when completed, would allow for the manufacturing of railroad segments in lengths only offered in Asian markets. The new rail mill would also be the first of its kind to be completely run on renewable energy.”
Pueblo US based contractor Wanzek has terminated 666 contract employees working on the new EVRAZ rail mill on 3 January 2023. Colorado Department of Labor & Employment letter to the Mayor of Pueblo Mr Nick Gradisar and the Board of County Commissioners Mr Garrison M Ortiz said “This letter is being issued in order to notify you in accordance with the Federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act that Wanzek is ending its operations at the Pueblo EVRAZ based on the unforeseeable cancellation of Wanzek's contract to perform project work at that site by Palmer in Pueblo. The Company will close all operations permanently effective 3 January 2023, with all employees terminating on that date. There are 666 employees who will be laid off on 3 January. Wanzek is not a union facility, and there are no bumping rights. Wanzek hired all employees with the understanding that they would be employed only for this project.” The termination comes amid a lawsuit brought against the contractor Waznek by Palmer, allegedly citing multiple instances of negligence and breaches of contract by Wanzek. The lawsuit details the alleged lack of oversight and commitment to contract promises by Wanzek. The first is the lack of hiring of competent personnel and workers, which has been the direct cause of unnecessary delays and substantial extra costs to the project. The lawsuit also details incidents of workplace accidents that, while not fatal, could have led to extremely dangerous situations, including death. EVRAZ North America clarified “EVRAZ North America is in the process of transitioning to a new General Contractor to complete construction on the new rail mill. Construction will continue with a new General Contractor in place to ensure the overall safety, quality, and timeliness of the project. The work is not going away, and no EVRAZ NA employees are being let go as a result of this change. We look forward to retaining many of the project’s current subcontractors as we work to complete the project. We’re confident that these changes will help us to successfully complete the rail mill project, allowing us to best serve our workforce, our customers, and the Pueblo, CO community for many years to come. EVRAZ North America is committed to the growth, longevity, and ongoing success of our operations in Pueblo.” EVRAZ North America Pueblo Senior Vice President David Ferryman also said “The new additions, when complete, will make the EVRAZ steel mill compete with major competitors in Asia. The new mill, when completed, would allow for the manufacturing of railroad segments in lengths only offered in Asian markets. The new rail mill would also be the first of its kind to be completely run on renewable energy.”
