REGINA – Video of an altercation between management and members of a national union outside a Regina hotel has heightened tensions in the ongoing dispute between the two parties.
The footage appears to show Best Western Seven Oaks owner and general manager Glenn Weir involved in a verbal and, at times, physical altercation with picketers.
“I’m asking you to leave or I’m going to charge you with trespassing.”
The altercation took place on Feb. 12, but the United Food and Commercial Workers union posted an edited version of the video Friday.
“‘It’s actually quite shocking’ was my reaction when I did see it,” said Norm Neault, president of UFCW Canada Local 1400.
The shock was shared by others as well. Since being posted on the UFCW Canada Facebook page, the video has been shared more than 1,700 times and has drawn hundreds of comments.
Neault says union members have been involved in minor altercations in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert since hitting the picket lines in late December. He says the union has taken steps to ensure no laws are broken.
“The protocol that we do have with the police is that, if we intend on doing any type of leafleting…in front of the facility, is that we contact them prior to let them know,” Neault said.
“That’s what we did on this occasion. I confirmed that.”
Global News reached out to Glenn Weir, who said he has “no statement regarding this video”.
The footage has been turned over to Regina Police.