National NDP leader shows support at union rally, calls out Co-op for ‘corporate greed’

The barricade at the Co-op refinery’s Gate 7 got some national political power on Monday with a visit and speech from federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh.

Singh spent time shaking hands and taking pictures with workers decked out in white and red Unifor garb before addressing them next to Local 594 president Kevin Bittman and Unifor National’s Scott Doherty.

Singh told them he’s there in solidarity with the workers and to support them.

“What has been going on to the workers here is not just an attack on workers in Regina (and) it’s not just an attack on refinery workers here, it’s an attack on all workers,” Singh said.

Singh repeated several of the lines the union has been using throughout the dispute, including that the refinery is making $3 million a day. He said that workers have a right to retire with dignity.

According to Singh, the fact the refinery is using replacement workers is making things worse, so he took the opportunity to announce his party will be tabling anti-scab legislation at the federal level — an announcement that drew big cheers from the crowd of Unifor faithful.

NDP platform draws scrutiny

The federal NDP has one of the more ambitious plans to move the Canadian economy toward renewable energies and away from fossil fuels, which prompted Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe to say Monday that it was “ironic” Singh was in Regina to support workers at an oil refinery.

In response, Singh said he’s here “strongly and proudly” with the refinery workers.

“I’m here to support these workers because it’s the right thing to do,” Singh said. “New Democrats believe in fighting for workers. That’s why I’m here unequivocally to support these workers (and) their pensions …

“This is an attack against all workers. The fact that a company that’s as profitable as Co-op is right now is willing to attack, to lock out workers, to attack their pensions, means that every worker in this country is at risk.”

Singh then said that the premier should be helping the workers get a good deal.

Legality of barricade an issue

On Monday morning, Moe called the blockade illegal, Regina’s police chief has said a group can’t blockade a private company, and Unifor has been fined $100,000 for violating a court injunction — but Singh was vague when asked about his support in that regard.

“What is a worker to do? They’ve got a profitable company, they’re being locked out (and) they’re just trying to negotiate for a fair deal. It’s not like the company is in some sort of dismal economic straits — they’re actually doing really well. So, what is a worker to do?” said Singh.

Singh was asked whether he had concerns about the tactics perceived as illegal by some, but his response turned the tables.

“What’s really concerning to me is that you’ve got a massively profitable company that’s not willing to make sure workers get a fair deal — that’s really the problem here. And I think that’s what everyone can agree with. We’ve got a company not willing to negotiate fairly with the workers (and) that’s wrong,” said Singh.

He also didn’t answer “yes” or “no” when asked whether his presence on the picket line and supporting the workers meant that he supported the barricade and their tactics. He simply answered: “I’m supporting the workers. No question, I’m supporting the workers.”