Unifor Local 594 members, currently locked out of the Co-op refinery in Regina because of contract negotiations, are picketing the annual meeting of Federated Co-operatives Limited in Saskatoon this weekend.
Approximately 34 workers, some carrying Unifor flags, were gathered on 22nd Street East in front of TCU Place on Saturday morning around 10 a.m.
A press release, issued earlier in the day, said the Unifor members will demonstrate from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
“These are the people who are funding the lockout, so we’re here to tell them to get informed,” said Unifor 594 president Kevin Bittman, who said the action was strictly “informational.”
The current job action comes days after Unifor members picketed Co-op facilities in Yorkton and more than a week after special mediator Vince Ready was appointed by Premier Scott Moe. Ready has negotiated more than 7,000 labour or commercial disputes.
“Everyone, I think, on both sides is really focused on bargaining again this next week with the assistance of special mediator Vince Ready. And we really feel that’s the root for both parties to have good, productive discussions that hopefully bring us closer to an agreement that gets our CRC employees back to work,” he added.
Job action began on Dec. 5, 2019, when Unifor issued a strike notice and FCL locked out the workers after negotiations over choices and protections for pension plans.
More meetings are scheduled for early March
A division of Unifor represents some Global News employees.
With files from Mickey Djuric and Jonathan Guignard
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