Federated Co-operatives Limited says with only a few days until bargaining is set to resume, Unifor has used fences to blockade the FCL bulk fuel terminal, propane branch and cardlock in Saskatoon’s biz hub.

Vivian Molnar is one of the locked out workers at the Co-op Refinery complex in Regina that has made their way up to the Saskatoon barricade. She says the new blockade is to put more pressure on FCL to get them back to the bargaining table.

“To do it in good faith and make an offer that is respectful, reasonable and something that our negotiating committee can bring back to the membership and say here’s something to vote on whether we accept it or reject it but at least we have an offer.”

FCL C-E-O Scott Banda describes the action in Saskatoon as disappointing but not surprising. He says the company is taking the appointment of a special mediator and resumption of bargaining on February 18th, very seriously. And they want the union to do the same by ending the blockades.

A number of RCMP officers are situated at the Co-op cardlock in the biz hub to ensure everything takes place peacefully.

Well known labor dispute mediator Vince Ready has been appointed by the province as a special mediator to assist in the dispute between Federated Co-op and Unifor.

Workers at the Co-op Refinery Complex have been locked out since December 5th after issuing a 48 hour strike notice.

If the parties are unable to reach an agreement the mediator will provide the parties and the minister with recommended terms for agreement. The two sides have 20 days to reach a settlement.

When asked if FCL will bargain on Tuesday given that Unifor has again erected blockades, Cam Zimmer, FCL’s Communications and Public Relations Manager, issued this statement:

“When Premier Moe offered the assistance of a special mediator for bargaining, he was clear that it would only happen if illegal blockades were removed.

We’ve said all along that we can’t bargain while Unifor’s illegal blockades are in place.

You can’t bargain when your business is being held hostage.

We’re serious about bargaining with the assistance of the special mediator appointed by Premier Moe. We’d hope that Unifor will take it seriously as well and respect Premier Moe’s condition for working with the special mediator.

Their actions speak louder than their words.”