Unifor 594 workers kicked off their lockout from the Co-op Refinery Complex in Regina with a rally outside of the refinery.

There will be another rally at noon today on the picket line at gate #7 of the refinery.

The union says they are fighting to protect their pension benefits and not give in to concessions the company is wanting workers to take in their new deal.

594 President Kevin Bittman said this kind of solidarity is not common.

“These people are ready to go, they’re tired of their employer, and they just want to be respected.”

He says it takes years and years of training and experience to do the jobs properly and notes that the company is replacing 285 people highly skilled people with 105 people and claims half of them don’t have any experience at all.

Co-op vice president of refinery operations Gil Le Dressay says the company is offering 11,75% over four years, and offering the same pension as before or switching to a defined contribution pension which is similar to the best in the industry. (CKRM)