Truck drivers hauling fuel for Federated Co-op were driving through Regina this morning [thurs] in protest over the situation at the refinery in that city. Workers there have been off the job since December 5th, when Federated Co-operatives Limited locked them out after Unifor threatened the company with a strike notice.

Regina Police say they were not notified of the rolling protest and the group did not apply for a permit, although, that would only have been needed if they were asking that streets be blocked off. Overnight, police seized 31 vehicles at the refinery complex. Since then, the vehicles have been replaced by other vehicles.

Traffic was delayed during the rolling protest which continued for a couple of hours. Spokesperson Heather Day says this is about raising awareness because these truckers feel they are caught in the middle between Federated Co-operatives Limited and Unifor. She explains that “if you got it, a truck brought it” and all of those trucks need fuel to bring what you need to your community.

Across the 26 fuel transportation companies that transport products for Co-op, Day estimated they are down around 2.5 million dollars in gross revenue since the blockades were put up and they have lost 10 million dollars since the lockout began. (CKRM/CJWW)