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REGINA—Federated Co-operatives Limited’s newest refusal to bargain in good faith demonstrates a new level of company dishonesty, says Unifor.

“Saskatchewan workers have the right to stand up to greedy employers like this one— but Co-op continues to add new concessions to attack refinery workers,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Rogue Co-op executives never had any intention of bargaining- Premier Moe needs to wake up and show some leadership.”

REGINA—The union representing locked-out refinery workers will hold a media conference at 10 a.m. to report on the status of the protracted labour dispute.

 “We want a to find common ground for a fair contract, but Co-op has not moved off of the same insulting concessions first tabled last year,” said Scott Doherty, Executive Assistant to the National President and lead negotiator.

Members of the media are invited to attend the media availability:

What: Media Availability

January 29, 2020

REGINA—Unifor National President Jerry Dias will give an update to media at 4:30 p.m., responding to Federated Cooperatives Limited (FCL) recent statements concerning the now 55-day lockout.

Nearly 800 highly skilled members of Unifor Local 594 remain locked out from the Co-op Refinery after refusing to accept major concessions. 

Members of the media are invited to attend the media availability:

What:                  Media Availability 

January 28, 2020

VANCOUVER—Unifor has released a new report that says artificially low catch limits over the past 25 years pushed the West Coast salmon fishing industry to the brink, leaving it unable to cope with the 2019 crisis.

January 23, 2020

HALIFAX – Unifor has joined with Northern Pulp and nine individuals representing the broader forestry industry in a request for judicial review filed today in Nova Scotia Supreme Court.  The application seeks a review of Nova Scotia Environment’s (NSE) December 17, 2019 decision regarding Northern Pulp’s proposed effluent treatment facility (ETF) project.

REGINA—Unifor’s National President Jerry Dias will provide an update on the latest development in the union’s attempt to return to the bargaining table and reach an agreement to end the 48-day lock out of nearly 800 refinery workers.

“The only way to end this dispute is to return to the bargaining table and Federated Co-operatives Limited knows this,” said Dias.

Hundreds of activists have descended on Regina this week to support Unifor Local 594 members in their fight with the Co-op Refinery after Regina Police arrested 14 people on a legal picket line.

REGINA−After hundreds of Unifor members from across Canada came out to peacefully support locked out Co-op Refinery workers, the Regina Police chose to escalate the situation with heavy handed and extreme tactics, including the arrest of Unifor National President Jerry Dias and Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle.

KITCHENER- Tim Jewell, Unifor Local 4304 President, will be available to speak with media as Grand River Transit employees begin strike action Tuesday morning.

“Job action is always a last resort. Transit workers face difficult working conditions, and our members are united in our goal of reaching a fair contract with Grand River Transit,” said Jewell.

Where:                 Unifor 4304 picket line, 250 Strasburg Rd, Kitchener, ON N2E 3M6

KITCHENER – Unifor Local 4304 members working at Grand River Transit are preparing to begin strike action after rejecting the tentative agreement negotiated with the transit service last week.

“The membership has made a very strong statement today that GRT must do better at the bargaining table,” said Local 4304 Local President Tim Jewell.

KITCHENER – Unifor Local 4304 and Grand River Transit have negotiated a tentative collective agreement, averting a strike at the transit utility.

“This new collective agreement ­addresses the top concerns of members and ensures that the buses will be on the road Tuesday morning,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias, who was at the talks Monday.

KITCHENER – Unifor National President Jerry Dias will update the media Monday morning on the ongoing contract talks between Unifor Local 4304 and Grand River Transit. 

Dias will meet with the Local’s bargaining team that morning as they prepare for a day of bargaining ahead of a strike deadline one minute after midnight that night, and then address the media.

December 20, 2019

HALIFAX – Unifor members at Northern Pulp are devastated following the announcement by Premier McNeil that he will not allow enough time for the company to complete the regulatory assessment requested by his own government.

December 10, 2019

REGINA—The Regina Police Service (RPS) has supported Co-op Refinery’s anti-union mandate by escorting vehicles through legal picket lines late Monday night, says Unifor.

“By intervening without a court order, RPS has shown not only highly questionable judgement, but also contempt for the highly-skilled workers fighting back against the company’s aggressive demand for concessions,” says Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Unifor members have kept the picket lines rock solid and respectful.”

TORONTO - On Monday December 9, Unifor will release a report titled Caring in Crisis: Ontario’s Long-Term Care PSW Shortage. Unifor commissioned the Ontario Health Coalition to produce report and seek recommendations from all stakeholders, including front line health care workers across Ontario.

December 6, 2019

REGINA—Hundreds of supporters, union members, and local residents joined a solidarity rally with the 800 members of Unifor Local 594 locked out by Co-op Refinery.

December 5, 2019

REGINA—Members of Unifor Local 594 and their supporters will send a strong message to Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) and the Co-op Refinery Complex (CRC) to stop the attack on hard-earned pension plans.

“A refinery clearing $3 million a day in profit can easily afford to meet pension obligations to a highly skilled workforce,” said Scott Doherty, lead Unifor negotiator and Executive Assistant to Unifor’s National President.