CRC labour disruption event summary

December 4, 2019

Many events have taken place since Unifor 594 initiated a labour dispute at the Co-op Refinery Complex (CRC) in Regina. Please see the following summary of events to date.

2019

• Jan. 15: Bargaining discussions begin between the CRC and Unifor.
• Jan. 31: Collective Bargaining Agreement ends.
• Sept. 26: Unifor declares bargaining impasse.
• Oct. 12-Nov. 12: Mandatory mediation occurs.
• Dec. 3: Unifor issues 48-hour strike notice at 4:30 p.m.; the CRC issues 48-hour lockout notice at 5:30 p.m.
• Dec. 5: Lockout begins.
• Dec. 15: Unifor launches Boycott Co-op campaign.
• Dec. 17: FCL granted interim injunction court order at the CRC.
• Dec. 23: FCL granted permanent injunction court order at the CRC.

2020

• Jan. 10: Unifor escalates activities with blockades at FCL’s administration office, manufacturing facility, cardlock and propane office in Regina.
• Jan. 13: Unifor blockades Prairie Sky Co-op Gas Bar, FCL Bulk Petroleum Plant and third-party restaurant in Weyburn, Sask.
• Jan. 16: Unifor blockades Sherwood Co-op Gas Bar, Home Centre and administrative offices in Regina.
• Jan. 20:
  • Unifor begins national solidarity action and completely blockades the CRC in Regina.
  • Regina Police Service arrests and charges 14 people with mischief at the CRC, include Unifor National President Jerry Dias.
• Jan. 22: Unifor fined $100,000 for intentionally disobeying the interim injunction court order at the CRC.
• Jan. 25-Feb. 9: Unifor blockades Co-op Carseland Terminal in Carseland, Alta.
• Jan. 29-Feb. 11: Unifor activists turn Co-op fuel trucks away from Imperial Oil fuel distribution terminal in Winnipeg.
• Jan. 31: The CRC and Unifor meet to bargain, the first time open negotiations have occurred since Sept. 26. Talks broke off after 13 hours.
• Feb. 1-11: Unifor activists turn Co-op fuel trucks away from Shell fuel distribution terminal in Winnipeg.
• Feb. 5:
  • Regina Police Service reports property (vehicles and homes) of seven CRC managers targeted with paintballs.
  • Regina Police Service arrests and charges four people with mischief at the CRC.
  • FCL places restrictions on fuel at cardlocks (100L gasoline; 300L diesel)
• Feb. 6:
  • FCL granted interim injunction court order at Carseland Terminal.
  • FCL in Court of Queen’s Bench for contempt hearing in Regina.
  • Red River Co-op announces fuel outages due to illegal blockades.
  • Unifor’s Lead Negotiator Scott Doherty charged with mischief.
• Feb. 7: Interim injunction court order for Carseland Terminal amended to include enforcement order.
• Feb. 10-12: Unifor blockades corporate bulk plant near Moose Jaw, Sask.
• Feb. 12:
  • Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe appoints Vince Ready as a special mediator.
  • Unifor fined $250,000 for being found in contempt of court for not following the permanent injunction court order.
  • FCL ends restrictions on fuel from Co-op Cardlock locations.
  • Unifor removes blockades at the CRC.
• Feb.13: Unifor activists picket Tidewater fuel distribution terminal in Prince George, B.C.
• Feb. 14: Unifor activists picket Saskatoon bulk petroleum plan, propane branch office and cardlock location in Saskatoon.
• Feb. 18: Mediation process begins with exploratory meetings with Special Mediators Vince Ready and Amanda Rogers.
• Feb. 19: FCL announced financial relief for independent lease-operated truckers contracted by FCL.
• Feb. 26: Unifor blockades FCL bulk petroleum plant and Legacy Co-op cardlock location in Yorkton, Sask.
• March 11-13: Unifor picketing at FCL and local co-op locations in Saskatchewan, including Shellbrook, Moosomin, Assiniboia, Swift Current, Southey, Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Whitewood, Cupar, Humboldt and Regina.
• March 19: The CRC and Unifor were presented with a report and recommendations prepared by Special Mediators Vince Ready and Amanda Rogers.
• March 25: The CRC provided Unifor with an offer that builds on recommendations from the Special Mediators’ report.
• March 30: The CRC applied to the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board to supervise an employee vote on the Best and Final Offer.
• April 29: Unifor 594 membership voted to reject the CRC's best and final offer.