Federated Co-operatives Limited: Unifor Resumes Co-op Blockades Despite Ongoing Mediation

Unifor has yet again threatened the mediation process by establishing another illegal blockade in Yorkton, Sask.

The new blockade, which Unifor set up Wednesday morning, is using vehicles to prevent access to Legacy Co-op’s cardlock location and Federated Co-operatives Limited’s (“FCL”) bulk petroleum plant, used to distribute fuel to farms and businesses in the area.

“Unifor continues its use of illegal blockades despite the mediation process being contingent on no illegal activity,” said Heather Ryan, FCL Vice-President of Human Resources. “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.”

Special mediation with Vince Ready began on Feb. 18 with exploratory talks; more meetings are scheduled for early March.
Local RCMP have been notified of the blockade. FCL is considering its legal options with this latest incident. Unifor has previously been fined $100,000 for disobeying an interim injunction court order and $250,000 for contempt of court relating to a permanent injunction court order at the Co-op Refinery Complex in Regina.

More information on the labour disruption at CRC is available at refineryfacts.ca.

Source: Federated Co-operatives Limited