Jobs, that were considered to be some of the best in eastern Iowa, appeared to be less reliable after hundreds of workers learned of temporary layoffs at the Iowa Fertilizer Plant construction site.
The enormous $2-billion project in Wever, south of Burlington, is the largest construction project in Iowa history, with nearly 3,000 workers manning round-the-clock shifts to build a plant that was expected to be operational by late 2015. Some workers were driving nearly two hours each way to commute to the site from other areas in Iowa and Illinois.
Workers contracted under AECOM-URS were told that several upcoming shifts were cancelled and construction was suspended at the site. Initial reports indicated AECOM-URS may have withdrawn from the project.
A union representative for 40 painters confirmed the layoff announcement Friday, April 17; and workers were told to pick up their paychecks at the facility's main gate Saturday morning.
Some of those laid-off workers could quickly get jobs from other sub-contractors.
"In construction projects this large, it is common for sub-contractors to be exchanged. many of the construction workers will continue working on this project through different sub-contractors," said Iowa Fertilizer spokesman Alex Shaner. "Iowa Fertilizer remains committed to Lee County and the economic revitalization that has occurred from the project."
In video a worker posted to Facebook, a foreman is heard saying the day shift will work Friday, no one will work Friday night, and no contractors will work Saturday and Sunday, April 18 and 19. He said he thought some contracted workers would likely return to the site Monday morning, April 20.