Workers facing layoff at Regina steel mill given one-week reprieve
by The Canadian Press
Lack of rolling stock to move pipe orders would force Evraz North America to halt production
REGINA—Improved availability of rail cars has led to a one-week delay in implementing a potential layoff affecting hundreds of workers at a Regina steel mill.
More than 400 employees in Evraz North America’s tubular steel division were issued a precautionary notice effective Jan. 20 over concerns that a lack of rolling stock to move pipe orders would force the company to halt production.
The United Steelworkers union Local 5890 had said at the time that poor weather conditions in eastern Canada were probably a factor in the shortage.
But the union now says Evraz has extended the notice to Jan. 27 because rail cars are arriving daily to keep up with demand.
The union says it’s cautiously optimistic the shipments will no longer be interrupted and that a layoff can be avoided.
