Evraz Steel Regina Mill Layoffs 170 Workers on Weal Pipe Demand

Regina Leader Post reported that the union head at the Evraz steel mill in Regina says that roughly 250 to 300 employees have either been laid off or have received notices they will be out of a job because there’s a lack of work. United Steelworkers Local 5890 president Mr Mike Day said “The layoffs are primarily affecting workers who make large diameter pipe in the mill’s tubular division. The bulk of the workers being let go had only been on the job for four months after being recalled in January. It’s not good. We got some guys that have been laid off who are 12 to 15 year members. It’s hard to say when they’re coming back. It’s going to be tough; they’ve got to worry about their families and future, so it’s disheartening.”Mr Day added “There aren’t enough Canadian oil and gas projects that Evraz can supply this steel for. There have also been few requests. Our large diameter metal really has no orders in the foreseeable future. We’re positive for the future in the next couple of years, but right now there’s nothing.”An Evraz North America spokesperson said in an emailed statement the company has laid off 170 workers since May after deciding to idle the large diameter pipe operation. The spokesperson said while overall business is strong, the large diameter pipe market has been soft. The company has offered employment opportunities in Calgary for workers who were laid off in Regina. They said the large pipe diameter business is typically cyclical, adding the company is focusing on products for the hydrogen and carbon capture and storage market as it transitions to supporting cleaner energy projects.In December 2020, the company notified the union they were laying off nearly 500 workers because of a bleak outlook on large pipe projects. The company then rehired about 400 people in January to fill an order, but then started issuing the layoff notices in May. The tubular division originally had roughly 600 members in 2019 and now only has about 150.

Evraz Steel Regina Mill Layoffs 170 Workers on Weal Pipe Demand

Strategic Research Institute

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