union-gas-289x300It seems downsizing has hit the Chatham Head Office of Union Gas.

As many as 15 employees were handed pink slips this week.

In an email release spokesperson Andrea Stass states, “Above all else, safety and operational reliability is our number 1 priority and these reductions don’t impact our ability to safely operate our assets, serve our customers and protect the environment. Union Gas will continue to maintain a presence in the communities we serve. No offices will be closed as a result of this workforce alignment and Union Gas’ head office will continue to be located in Chatham. Customers can count on the same level of safe and reliable service we’ve always provided.”

Stass says the cuts affect full time employees and contractors in areas where there is duplication and overlap in roles that support corporate-wide functions.

Union Gas’ parent company, Spectra Energy merged with Enbridge last year and since that time about 6% of the staff, or about 1,000 positions have been deemed redundant.

At this point it appears there is no plan to close the Chatham office.