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Regina company using helicopters to fly replacement workers over picket lines
December 10, 2019
By
Todd Humber
REGINA (CP) – Management at Regina’s Co-op Refinery say they are flying replacement staff in by helicopter during an ongoing labour dispute.
About 700 unionized workers were locked out last week after serving strike notice.
Federated Co-operatives Limited says in a statement that employees who have the crossed picket line have been verbally harassed and food shipments for management have been held up.
The company says that, as a result, it decided to use helicopters to bring in staff and resources.
Unifor Local 594 says workers are concerned about the company’s proposed changes to their pension plans.
It declared an impasse in contract negotiations in September, which led to the appointment of a mediator.
The workers’ last contract expired in February, while the company reported in March that 2018 was a record year for earnings of nearly $1.1 billion from nearly $10.7 billion in sales.
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