Layoffs coming at Evraz steel mill in Regina

It’s bad news for steelworkers in Regina.

According to the union that represents employees at the Evraz steel mill, United Steelworkers Local 5890, about 250 employees are being laid off.

Union president Mike Day said Friday that workers in the large diameter tubular division — where they make steel for large projects like oil pipelines — are the ones out of a job.

It’s because there just isn’t enough work.

“They recalled members of the tubular division back in January. We are now finished that order, and we have nothing in our large diameter mill in the foreseeable future,” he explained.

The workers being laid off will join about 150 workers in the same division who were laid off earlier and weren’t brought back for the project in January.

Day said the issue is simply that there is “limited work” available in terms of pipelines.

“It does sting, especially when you know that there is work being done in Canada and we’re not awarded those jobs …,” Day said. “Evraz is seeking out the work. It’s just the bids are going to different companies outside of Canada … It went to cheaper-made product.

“We’re doing our best on our end through trade cases and working with the company to stop those products from coming into our (country), but it’s affecting our members’ work and their livelihoods. Hopefully this comes to a stop soon and we get the work.”