Hoping to get their message out to some of the rural parts of the province last week were striking workers from the Co-op Refinery plant in Regina, who set up a picket station on Tuesday, June 2 near the Co-op bulk fuel tanks west of Outlook on Highway 15.
Police reported no issues from the striking workers, who were on-site starting at roughly 7:00 am, and there were no blockages to fuel access at the location.聽 The workers鈥� union, Unifor Local 594, stated in a media release that in addition to Outlook, pickets would be set up in the communities of Davidson, Kindersley, Wilkie, Glaslyn, and Belle Plaine.
Last Friday marked six months since the labour dispute began between Unifor Local 594 and the Co-op Refinery Complex (CRC).聽 Unfortunately, half a year later, it seems that neither side seems closer to reaching an amicable resolution.
Union President Kevin Bittman says Unifor is open to compromise but says that the CRC is refusing a return-to-work agreement that gets everyone back to their jobs.聽 The union wants a guarantee that no one will be fired, noting that 鈥�730 got locked out of their employment, and 730 should come back to work.鈥�
Brad DeLorey, the director of communications and public affairs for the CRC, said that the CRC would love to see the labour dispute come to an end in order to get the facility鈥檚 workforce back, and noted that it鈥檚 going to take 鈥渁 lot of respect on both sides鈥� for things to heal and move forward.
The picketing workers were at the bulk tank site near Outlook on Wednesday too, and had gone by Thursday.
For a short video clip, head to The Outlook鈥檚 Facebook page.
