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Steelworkers Form Unity Council for Evraz NA Operations

11/13/2008 - USW representatives in Regina and Calgary join with other USW members employed by Evraz North America in Canada and the U.S. to form a Unity Council.

Representatives of the United Steelworkers (USW) in Regina and Calgary have joined with other USW members employed by Evraz Inc. NA (North America) in Canada and the U.S. to form a Unity Council.

 
The USW has an organizing drive underway at the Evraz Oregon plant under a "neutrality clause" that was negotiated between the union and Oregon Steel Mills.
Representatives of about 2000 Steelworkers in six Evraz NA operations (including the former Ipsco SSAB operations in Regina and Calgary) came together recently for a meeting in Portland. The 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, Colo.
 
The six Evraz facilities represented at the Portland meeting included the company’s Regina facility, where a $90-million large diameter pipe mill expansion was officially opened in October. The expansion adds to the plant’s facilities that recycle steel scrap and produce steel slabs and flat-rolled plate and coil. Tubular products made in Regina are used in the oil and gas industry.
 
Facilities represented also included the company’s Calgary plant, where, USW members produce OCTG (Oil and Gas Country Tubular Goods) used in the energy sector, specializing in gas and oil well tubing and casing and heat treating.
 
In Western Canada the USW also represents workers at Wheat City Metals (Local 5917) in Regina and Navajo Metals (Local 6034), in Calgary, both scrap metal processing facilities owned by Evraz.
 
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.
 
Evraz Inc. NA is a subsidiary of Evraz Group SA, a Moscow-based steelmaker with global interests in mining and manufacturing facilities. Evraz Group is the world's 13th largest steel producer.