Temporary layoffs to be issued for Nutrien workers at Vanscoy, Allan Mines

The Nutrien logo is shown in this file photo.

Nutrien will be issuing temporary layoff notices on Friday for some workers at the Vanscoy and Allan Mines.

Nutrien says around 700 people work in Vanscoy and another 600 people work in Allan. The notices won’t impact all the employees at the each mine.

The layoffs will come into effect on May 6. According to Nutrien, the layoffs are the result of delayed rail cars causing a backlog of potash.

In a statement to CTV News, CN says the rail company had a tough January meeting orders from Nutrien. But, the company says it was able to move all orders in February and March, and it has taken on additional orders to help with warehouse containment issues.

In an emailed response, CP Rail spokesperson Jeremy Berry said, “CP continues to work closely with our potash customers, delivering record levels of potash exports in the first quarter. We expect strong demand to continue through the remainder of the year, and look forward to delivering for our customers.”

Nutrien says temporary layoffs aren’t unusual. They could last days or weeks.