The provincial government says they are closely monitoring the Co-op refinery strike.

Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Minister Don Morgan believes this is a serious problem for the province considering 11 hundred jobs are at stake.

But he says the issues stretch outside of Saskatchewan.

It affects supplies to communities in Alberta and interior British Columbia.

Morgan added that smaller centres throughout Western Canada where Co-op may be the only supplier, and if there is no alternate supply, there could be situations where they don’t have sufficient fuel.

He added that the government will be monitoring operations carefully to ensure that supplies are continued and temporary workers are safe.

The government has provided mediators with both sides asking for additional time and mediation services and Morgan said the government is ready to further assist both sides to help them find a deal sooner rather than later.