We have crossed the six month mark in the lockout of Unifor Local 594 workers at the Co-op Refinery in Regina. It began December 5th when the union gave 48 hours strike notice in a dispute that centers around pensions. Brad DeLorey with Federated Co-op says the deal workers have been presented is the best they are going to get. He says the offer has a total compensation package that exceeds all other refineries in Canada.

Unifor 594 president Kevin Bittman believes FCL is trying to bust the union. He says, every time the union has tried to move toward a deal, the company has moved in the opposite direction. He claims that all Federated has done is take and all the union has done is give.

DeLorey says the impact to their operations has been minimal with the product still getting through. But he says, the impact on the relationship between the two sides has been huge.

Unifor 594 President Kevin Bittman says when it does end, the healing process between the two must start immediately.
FCL says Unifor has been a big part of their success over the last 75 years and they do want their regular workers back, but it will take time.
DeLorey adds, the deal they have protects and pays those workers, while at the same time ensuring the viability of the refinery.
[ckrm june 5 2020]