It was on December 5, 2019 that Federated Co-Op Limited locked out over 700 workers at the refinery in Regina, represented by UNIFOR Local 594, after 48 hour strike notice was given.
On June 5, 2020, six months later, the two sides are still at odds in a labour dispute which has divided a city and a province and has been at times rather ugly.
As the dispute hits the six month old mark, both sides are talking about the past and what the future may hold with comments still being thrown across the table at one another.
Federated Co-Op’s Brad DeLorey says the deal they have made, which is their final offer, is one that would see workers get a total compensation package which is better than any other refinery in Canada, but it is one the union has turned down. DeLorey says that is too bad because efforts made at hurting the overall operation by the union has failed.
“We had a strong business continuity plan in place when the lockout was issued so that there wouldn’t be any shortages to the market.” DeLorey said. “We have 1.9 million people across Western Canada that support Co-op in urban and rural settings. That support has resulted in a tremendous amount of pride. That being said, we know how much UNIFOR 594 has meant to our operation over the years. They are our people. UNIFOR 594 have been our partners for over 75 years and they are important to us. Every decision we have made is about changes to the industry and keeping well-paid jobs in the community. We want to ensure the viability of this complex.”
For the union, local President Kevin Bittman says they are very frustrated over what has been happening.
“We’ve given FCL everything they’ve asked for and we’re still locked out.” Bittman said. “Every time we have tried to move towards a deal, they have moved in the opposite direction. All they have done is take, and all we have done is give and we are still locked out. This is union-busting at its best. It’s not about pension anymore, its about them trying to bust the union.”
When that day comes that a settlement is reached, Bittman knows both sides have to work together when it comes to a healing process.
“We need to start rebuilding a relationship with the company.” Bittman said. “No one wants to work at a place where you have animosity. You need to get that relationship worked on right from day one when something gets done and it needs to be both sides working hard to rebuild that relationship or bad things will happen which isn’t good especially when you are working at an oil refinery. I don’t think the relationship goes back to square one, but both sides have to commit to a reset which is something the union is committed to.”