Unifor Local 594 held a drive-by rally at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building on April 29, 2020 to demand action from the government to end the lockout at the Co-op Refinery. (Adriana Christianson/980 CJME)

By Adriana Christianson

Unifor holds drive-by rally at legislature

Apr 29, 2020 | 11:52 AM

Hundreds of vehicles turned out with horns blaring and Unifor flags flying to drive past the Saskatchewan Legislative Building on Wednesday.

Workers stayed in their trucks in a parade held at the same time as a vote count was being conducted to decide on the latest deal offered by the Co-op Refinery.

The company locked out the employees Dec. 5 after they filed strike notice.

Unifor Local 594 president Kevin Bittman told reporters the union anticipates a high rejection rate. He said the vehicle rally was meant to send a message to the province that the dispute has dragged on long enough and it’s time for action to follow the recommendations of special mediator Vince Ready.

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“We anticipate a high rejection rate. Bargaining has failed and it’s time to legislate us back to work under the Ready recommendations,” Bittman said.

“The company put a final offer on the table that included a return to work. The final offer doubled the concessions of the special mediator so really it takes double out of our pockets.”

Bittman said the mediator’s recommended deal would take between $8,000 and $10,000 every year and Unifor voted to accept those terms. He said the company countered with an offer that would take between $15,000 and $20,000 away per year and was vague on the terms of return to work agreements.

As oil prices have taken a huge dive in the past few weeks, Bittman said those actually make refinery input costs lower so it shouldn’t matter in the context of this long-term labour dispute.

When asked about a concern over losing more public support with the rally in an economic climate which has seen so many people lose their jobs and livelihoods, Bittman pointed to the long-term picture saying COVID-19 is a blip in the economy and demand will return to normal eventually.

More to come.