Nutrien workers worried about layoffs

SASKATOON Union leaders are concerned by Nutrien’s announcement of more layoffs at its potash mine in Vanscoy earlier this week, saying they’re worried that workers will have less stability as the company looks for “synergies” after the merger of Potash Corp. and Agrium Inc.

Company officials say they’re not expecting any further changes at its potash operations in the province.

Nutrien announced Wednesday that the Vanscoy mine will lose 30 staff and 50 hourly positions due to changes that are set to take effect in the fourth quarter of 2018. United Steelworkers (USW) Local 7552 president Darrin Kruger, who represents workers at the Vanscoy site, said there is uncertainty among its members as the company gets larger.

“Any time there’s a reduction in workforce, we’re obviously concerned,” he said.

Wednesday’s announcement followed what Kruger described as months of workforce reduction at the site.

He said staff numbers have “declined significantly” in recent months, and he feels hiring has not kept up with attrition, retirements or terminations.

The merger has presented more questions for the union about stability, he said.

“They really want to maximize their assets and resources and just kind of rotate production wherever, and that’s definitely a concern to us.

“What does that mean for each individual site? Will they shut down one site and ramp up another?”

Nutrien spokesman Will Tigley said the decision to cut staff at the Vanscoy site was difficult, but the company has done what it can to “minimize the impact.”

Staff who are currently working in Nutrien’s Saskatchewan network of potash operations can rest easy for now, he said.

“We don’t have any further operational or workforce changes planned. Right now, we’ll consider ramping Vanscoy back up depending on the global demand growth rates, but right now, there’s nothing in our forecast or in our plans that will impact any further operations or workforce changes.”

He said it’s possible Nutrien will have a few vacancies open in the coming months.

The merger between Potash Corp. and Agrium Inc. was finalized in January.