In the latest instalment of the “Work in the West” podcast, former Unifor Local 594 president Kevin Bittman opens up on the 2019-2020 lockout at the Co-op Refinery in Regina. In this episode, he reflects on the implications for labour solidarity, the role of government in private-sector strikes, and the future of labour in the Continue readingLocked Out: Kevin Bittman on the 2019-2020 Co-op Refinery lockout
FCL Co-op
Editor’s introduction The following letter was received by Andrew Stevens, a Regina city councillor and co-founder of Rankandfile.ca. It was first shared publicly on Facebook. It relates to the scab camp established at the Co-op Refinery in Regina in which the employer has locked out refinery workers for over 100 days. Stevens writes of the Continue readingRN says Co-op Refinery scab camp “a disaster waiting to happen”
by Emily Leedham As the Co-op Refinery’s unionized workforce enters their third month of a lockout, Federated Co-operatives Ltd. (FCL) is expanding on-site camps for replacement workers. Unifor 594 refinery workers have been fighting rollbacks to their pensions and savings plans. “If they’re bringing in extra camps to house these workers, it’s for one reason, Continue readingCo-op’s weak OH&S fines highlight labour laws stacked against Unifor 594
by Emily Leedham On Wednesday February 5, Federated Co-operatives Ltd. CEO Scott Banda gave a shout out to United We Roll, the group responsible for last year’s well-publicized but small convoy to Ottawa claiming to defend oil and gas workers. “…I kind of noticed that United We Roll was here as well,” said Banda. “Thank Continue readingStrange new allies for FCL CEO Scott Banda
by Emily Leedham “I will always stand with Saskatchewan and the great people that reside across this great province.” Evidently, this statement from Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe doesn’t include 750 oil refinery workers who have been locked out for nearly two months by Federated Co-operatives Ltd. for trying to save their pension and savings plans. Continue readingUnited We Rollback Pensions: Refinery lockout exposes right-wing hypocrisy
Today on Rank & File Radio, an on the ground report from the Unifor 594 lockout at the Co-op Refinery in Regina, Saskatchewan. Previous coverage: Dance Parties, Personal Growth, and Police: Three Days with Locked Out Regina Oil Workers https://www.rankandfile.ca/dance-parties-personal-growth-and-police-three-days-with-locked-out-regina-oil-workers/ Labour unites around Unifor 594 after arrests at refinery lockout https://www.rankandfile.ca/labour-unites-around-unifor-594/
by Emily Leedham “Cops are towing vehicles, threatening arrests, FYI. Gate 7.” my friend Geoff* texts me. “Oh shit,” I texted back, getting up from the couch to find my ski pants. I was staying with friends in Regina, Saskatchewan to cover the Co-op Refinery lockout where around 750 refinery workers – members of Unifor Continue readingShowdown at Gate 7: Three Days with Locked Out Regina Oil Workers
by Emily Leedham In a move that shocked trade unionists across the country, the Regina Police Service arrested Unifor National President Jerry Dias and thirteen other Unifor members at Gate 7 of Regina’s Co-op Refinery Complex on Monday, January 20, 2020. About 730 refinery workers, members of Local 594, have been locked out for the Continue readingLabour unites around Unifor 594 after arrests at refinery lockout
Today on Rank & File Radio, an update on the Unifor 594 lockout at the Co-op Refinery in Regina, which is entering its second month. The workers were on the picket line throughout Christmas and New Year’s.
by Andrew Stevens The lockout of 700+ workers at Regina’s Cooperative Refinery Complex has now entered its third week. On the table: another round of pension concessions and the elimination of a co-funded savings plan. Under the guise of a “business continuity plan,” the Refinery has for months been preparing for what Unifor Local 594 Continue readingRegina refinery lockout is no “tea party”
by Emily Leedham Unifor launches a Canada-wide boycott of Co-op products & services. Local 594 President Kevin Bittman & Regina & District Labour Council member Darren Milo provide picket line reports from the lockout. Sean Tucker, an Occupational Health & Safety Researcher at the University of Regina discusses public safety concerns with scab workers running Continue readingThe Regina Co-op Refinery Lockout Lowdown
By Doug Nesbitt and Andrew Stevens Editor’s note: This article was written at the start of the 2019-2020 lockout of refinery workers at the Co-op Refinery in Regina, Saskatchewan. For Rankandfile.ca‘s coverage of the lockout, click here. With near unanimous support from the membership, Unifor Local 594 provided the Co-operative Refinery Complex (CRC) with job Continue readingLocal 594 and the Lost History of Oil Worker Unionism