Carseland injunction granted, but enforcement is needed

February 6, 2020

Today, Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) received an interim injunction court order addressing Unifor’s illegal blockade of our fuel distribution terminal in Carseland, Alta. As part of the Co-op Refinery Complex labour disruption in Regina, Unifor began using fences, vehicles and activists on Jan. 25 to prevent Co-op fuel trucks and cardlock customers from accessing the Carseland Terminal.

In her ruling, Justice Campbell said Unifor National and Unifor Local 594 are jointly responsible and may be present at the Carseland Terminal to only convey their message. She ordered picketing and congregating cannot occur within five metres of any access.

“While we’re pleased that today’s ruling recognized our right to operate, our fuel trucks won’t be able to move until this interim injunction order is enforced,” said CEO Scott Banda. “We expect Unifor to abide by the rule of law and Justice Campbell’s ruling immediately, but from what we’ve seen already today, they’re still not allowing our trucks into the Carseland Terminal. It seems that, like in Saskatchewan, they are not going to comply with the law in Alberta.”

Effective immediately, the court order states Unifor is not allowed to:

• impede traffic and free flow access to the property;
• obstruct or harass customers, contractors, etc.;
• trespass;
• picket and congregate within five metres of any access;
• watch employees or contractors and stop them from having the lawful right to do things; and
• intimidate.

This injunction adds to two previous Court of Queen’s Bench injunction orders in Saskatchewan, which applied limits to Unifor’s ability to delay vehicles from entering and exiting the Co-op Refinery Complex in Regina. In a subsequent finding of contempt Unifor was charged $100,000 for intentionally and deliberately disobeying that interim court injunction order. Unifor is now facing a second contempt of court hearing today related to FCL’s contention that Unifor is in deliberate violation of the second, permanent court injunction order.

“We’ve said that we’re willing to bargain for as long as it takes to get a deal, but we will not bargain as long as these illegal blockades are in place,” said Banda. “It’s obvious that Unifor doesn’t share our interest in bargaining since they continue to use illegal actions to hold our business, and a good portion of Western Canadians’ fuel supply, hostage.”

Co-op Gas Bars and Cardlocks have begun to face periodic fuel outages across Western Canada as a result of Unifor’s illegal blockades. FCL has placed daily card purchase restrictions at Co-op Cardlock locations across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Fuel for smaller locations is being prioritized since, in many of these locations, Co-op is one of the only fuel sources. As well, Co-op is prioritizing fuel for emergency service providers. These restrictions will remain in place as long as fuel distribution remains hampered by the blockades.

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