WE Soda Faces 274 January Layoffs as State Weighs $13 Million Grant

Residents of Sweetwater County face a workforce reduction of 274 employees at WE Soda operations starting in January. The London-based company will cut its local staff from approximately 850 to 500 over the next two years. This reduction follows the company’s decision to shift its Westvaco trona mine from underground extraction to drill-and-pump solution mining.

The timing of the layoffs coincides with a pending $13 million state grant request by WE Soda. The company applied to the Wyoming Energy Authority for funding to build a high-pressure natural gas supply connection to its Westvaco operations. The grant would replace coal-fired boilers with natural gas boilers for processing trona into soda ash. WE Soda’s coal supply contract from the Kemmerer mine ends this year.

United Steelworkers Local 13214 President Marshal Cummings asked the state to freeze the funds until workers are assured of employment. Cummings stated that if the state can find nearly $13 million for the corporation, it should find a way to support the workers who built the company. He noted that the natural gas connection is not immediately integral to the planned mining conversion. He argued that the state should tie any approved funds to protections for the 223 unionized workers slated for layoff.

The Wyoming Energy Authority recommended approving the grant last month. This recommendation occurred before WE Soda announced the workforce reductions. A public comment period for the grant request ends on Monday. The authority will forward its recommendation and public comments to Governor Mark Gordon. The governor has sole discretion to deny the request, approve it, or approve it with conditions.

Governor Gordon’s office said he will not comment on the grant until after the public comment period closes. Governor-elect Eric Barlow also declined to comment initially. Later, both men issued a joint statement expressing concern for miners and their families in southwestern Wyoming. They stated they are working diligently to bring resources to address the impacts of the reductions.

The Wyoming Democratic Party issued a statement on Wednesday joining the union’s call to freeze action on the grant. The party said the fund is intended to create jobs and support economic growth. Party leaders described themselves as heartbroken and angry on behalf of the workers. They called the loss of hundreds of jobs a massive blow to the community economy.

Sweetwater County Commissioner Robb Slaughter told WyoFile that local officials are in a difficult situation. Slaughter said his first concern is the loss for affected families. He said it is premature for the county commission to take an official stance on the grant. He said commissioners must protect the interests of local families and taxpayers while encouraging responsible industrial development.