Unifor members have set up a blockade around a Co-op cardlock in Yorkton on Wednesday morning even as talks with mediator Vince Ready continue to try and end the stalemate at the Regina refinery.

The cardlock is located on York Road in Yorkton’s north end.

Derek Emperingham, one of about 20 workers who set up the blockade, said they established the blockade to let Federated Co-op know they’re still here.

“We want Scott Banda and FCL to know that they need to come back to the table, bargain fairly and give us a deal so we can get back to work,” explained Emperingham.

“This is one of the busier cardlocks and we want to put a little pressure on them to see that it’s important we return to work and do the jobs we’re proud of doing.”

In a statement from FCL on Wednesday, vice-president of human resources Heather Ryan said the mediation process is contingent on no illegal activity such as the blockades.

The company has notified local RCMP on the newest blockade and is considering legal options.

“It’s difficult to accept Unifor’s sincerity and commitment to the bargaining process when we see these tactics taking place during the mediation process.”

Ryan added that more meetings with Ready are scheduled for early March.

The dispute, which centres around employee pensions, has been going on since workers were locked out of the Regina refinery on December 5.

(CJGX)