Unionized Co-op refinery workers keep picket lines bolstered on Day 2 of lockout

Hundreds of unionized Co-op refinery workers remained spread out across the handful of picket lines surrounding the plant northeast of Regina Saturday.

On the second day of the lockout, picketers at Gate 7 were delaying fuel trucks from entering and leaving the refinery for 30 minutes — up 15 minutes from Friday, some told 980 CJME. Other vehicles, like those filled with security guards hired by Co-op, were let in and out immediately.

Traffic was also down to one lane on Fleet Street, across from the Regina landfill, as the waiting fuel trucks blocked the west lane. Security was there directing local traffic around it.

However, picketing @Unifor594 workers are letting the Co-op Refinery security through right away. #yqr #sask pic.twitter.com/JyuLsSzQ7N

— Jessie Anton (@jessieanton_) December 7, 2019

Changes to pension plans continue to be the main sticking point in negotiations.

Management wants Unifor Local 594 workers to choose between moving to a defined contribution plan or staying on their defined benefit plan, which they’d now be required to pay into.

In recent weeks, Co-op has called it a “fair deal,” pointing to the 11.75 per cent wage increase over the next four years that’s also on the table. That would add roughly $12,000 to most unionized workers’ base wage before overtime, the company said.

However, the majority of the more than 700 Unifor workers feel the concessions on pension choice are worth standing out in the cold for.

“We’re not asking for anything special; we just don’t want to lose what we already have,” said picketing process operator Kurt Haakensen, noting the changes would have the greatest impact on those nearing retirement.

“Some guys are looking at another 10 years of work just to be able to afford the pension they were promised.”

Haakensen added many of those out on the picket lines, including himself, aren’t there because the pension changes would have a significant impact on them but because they felt it could have a blow on those who have put in decades with the company.

“There are a lot of guys who don’t make the kind of money you would if you went to Grande Prairie or Fort McMurray. They could have done that 20 years ago, but they chose to be here — and a pension was a big part of that,” he explained.

Both sides are set to meet at the bargaining table on Wednesday.