Unifor is calling on the province to appoint a mediator to help end the lockout at the Co-op Refinery.

During a news conference in Regina Thursday morning, Unifor National President Jerry Dias called on Premier Scott Moe saying that he has a responsibility to use his position as the premier of Saskatchewan to bring both parties together as the dispute continues and that there’s potential for it to even get more violent.

Earlier this week, the national union took over the blockade at the refinery from Unifor Local 5-9-4.

Tension rose when union members from across the country arrived at the picket line, resulting in Dias and a number of other union members being arrested and charged with mischief.

Dias also said Thursday that he will meet with Regina Police Chief Evan Bray to discuss how picketers can go about their business moving forward after the arrests on Monday.

The national president says Co-op will not bargain with Unifor negotiators unless they once again have all the chips in their table, meaning they want the blockades removed and the picket lines stopped.

“That’s not going to happen, it’s not going to happen under any circumstance.”

Dias adds Unifor will be challenging the court order and a $100 thousand dollar fine that was handed down this week. A Regina judge found the union in violation of a court order that set limits on picketing during the on-going lockout.

Thursday marks the 49th day of the lockout.