Regina and Calgary workers form unity council for Evraz NA

Wednesday, 19 Nov 2008

It is reported that representatives of the United Steelworkers in Regina and Calgary have joined with other USW members employed by Evraz Inc in Canada and the US to form a Unity Council. A meeting in Portland brought together representatives of about 2,000 Steelworkers in 6 Evraz NA operations, including the former IPSCO SSAB operations in Regina and Calgary.

In October 2008, Evraz officially opened a USD 90 million large diameter pipe mill expansion in Regina, adding to facilities that recycle steel scrap, produce steel slabs and flat rolled plate and coil. Tubular product lines in Regina are made for the oil and gas industry.

In Calgary, USW members produce Oil & Gas Country Tubular Goods used in the energy sector, specializing in gas and oil well tubing and casing and heat treating. In Western Canada, it also represents workers at Wheat City Metals in Regina and Navajo Metals in Calgary, both scrap metal processing facilities owned by Evraz. The parent company is Evraz Group SA, a Moscow based steelmaker with global interests in mining and manufacturing facilities. It is the world's 13th largest steel producer.

Unity Council members have reviewed Evraz's position in global steel and steel pipe markets, and the effects of the current worldwide economic crisis on steel industry sectors. Collective agreements are being compared and an information-sharing network is being established.

The Portland meeting also included non-union workers from a former Oregon Steel Mills operation, acquired by Evraz in November 2006, along with Steelworkers from another former Oregon Steel owned company in Pueblo.