Jerry Dias is not happy with the decision by the Regina Police Service to block access for Unifor members to reach picket locations at certain areas around the Co-op refinery in Regina.
On Friday afternoon outside Hotel Saskatchewan in downtown Regina, Unifor’s national president went on to say it’s a violation of their members’ Charter rights after police began taking down barricades and removing items stationed at a number of gates and access points late Thursday night.
Dias said it’s clear the Regina Police Service is “an arm of the corporation” and said he has never seen anything like this in his 40 years of being in a union.
“Here we are in Regina in February, and they have contacted the vendors and said take away the toilets, take away all sources of heat, take away the trailers, strip down the picket lines so that the only thing on the picket lines are the workers walking.”
Regina Police sent out a release on Friday that the removal of barricades and debris surrounding the complex is part of their plan to restore a safe physical environment for picketing by Unifor members following the court order from Christmas Eve.
Dias mentioned that he hasn’t had any lines of communication with Chief of Police Bray in “several days” after they had open lines of communication.
He said he understands the chief is under pressure from different sides including the government and Co-op, but added it’s a much more difficult situation for workers who have been locked out since December 5.
“It’s about sheer greed and corporate arrogance.”
Now that barricades are down and truckers are transporting fuel out of the facility, Dias believes the government needs to take a look at this dispute and help find a fair resolution.
“The premier has the power to fix this and I don’t understand his reluctance to do it,” he told reporters on Friday.
Dias hopes the premier’s involvement can finally help bring the parties to the table and force binding arbitration.
Provincial NDP leader Ryan Meili has also called on Premier Scott Moe to recall legislature and impose binding arbitration to help bring a resolution to the lockout.
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Meanwhile, Federated Co-op returned to the courts Friday as Unifor has reportedly maintained their blockade at the fuel terminal in Carseland, Alberta.
FCL requested an amendment to the interim injunction granted on Thursday morning, requesting additional police enforcement clauses to help the RCMP enforce the court order, as well as asking to allow a bailiff to remove the barricades if the union refuses to remove them.
The Judge granted both requests, giving Unifor until Sunday at noon. She also defined two zones where Unifor members and their supporters would be allowed to picket.
