Federated Co-op says they will financially support independent lease operators affected during the Co-op refinery labour dispute with special payments.

In a release on Wednesday morning, FCL stated these payments will be given out to help support lease operators not only in Regina, but drivers and companies who service facilities in Winnipeg, Manitoba and Carseland, Alberta.

“We value the perseverance and support of all our independent trucking fleet partners and we recognize how badly Unifor’s illegal blockades hurt them,” said FCL CEO Scott Banda in the release.

“Unifor’s illegal actions have negatively affected their individual well-being and that of their families, so we’re doing all we can to help them.”

According to the statement, the payments will be around 75 per cent of what they are normally paid.

Heather Day, a member of the Saskatchewan Trucking Association’s board of directors, said the move will support both small and large lease operators after a “difficult last two months.”

The payouts are expected to help approximately 40 lease-operated trucking companies, totaling nearly 160 trucks.