Unifor 594 members have voted over 97% in favour of strike action if necessary at the Co-op refinery complex.

The union is maintaining their position that they would like choice and protection on their pensions.

Meanwhile the refinery says they made an offer in early November that would have seen workers receive an 11.75% increase over four years, and giving workers the option to begin contributing to their current pension plan or transition to the defined contribution pension plan that would see the employee pay 4%.

However, Unifor says the refinery is asking to keep 17.5% of concessions and also looking to lessen the pension plan, which is a move seen as going backwards.

In a news release, Unifor spokesperson Scott Doherty says the refinery makes billions of dollars in profit every year, so the union will not budge on pension security and liabilities.