Police investigating after six Co-op refinery managers’ homes paintballed

The Regina Police Service is investigating seven cases of mischief in the city that involve the vandalism of homes and/or locked vehicles.

The incidents happened between Jan. 30 and Wednesday at the following addresses:

• 3600 block Hazel Grove
• 3800 E. Thames Road
• 1600 N. Violet Cres.
• 5500 Blake Cres.
• 0-99 block Wesley Road
• 1600 N. Fenwick Cres.
• 4600 Sherlock Drive

A police spokesperson has told 980 CJME police believe the incidents are connected to the labour dispute at the Co-op Refinery Complex (CRC).

Brad DeLorey, the director of communications and public affairs for the refinery, confirmed to 980 CJME on Wednesday morning that six of the company’s managers currently working inside the plant were targeted.

In each case, he said their homes were paintballed.

“It’s very concerning to us as a company that those kinds of actions would take place,” he said. “These things are very disturbing. Whether it’s an attack on individuals or families or peoples’ properties, it is alarming.”

DeLorey noted Co-op has procedures in place to help its staff and their families deal with their psychological welfare after events such as this.

“Our No. 1 priority is to make sure our people are protected, and that they’re safe and secure,” he added.

Anyone with information about these incidents are asked to contact the Regina Police Service at 306-777-6500 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

More arrests on picket line

Meanwhile, Regina police arrested four union members early Wednesday at the refinery.

In a media release, police said they arrested and charged the four men with mischief and disobeying a court order at 12:42 a.m.

Three of the men are in their 30s; one is in his 40s. All are from Saskatchewan but aren’t part of Unifor’s leadership group.

The union first reported the arrests on Twitter early on Wednesday, insisting the four members were “peacefully picketing” at one of the refinery’s gates. Unifor said it was disappointed by the arrests.

Unifor said in the tweet the arrests happened “while we continue discussions on the mediation process proposed by Premier Scott Moe.”

In its own media release, the union quoted president Jerry Dias, who said: “For Regina Police to side with the employer and arrest lawful, peaceful picketers is a disgrace and shows the unjust obstacles workers face simply to protect what they already have.

“We have been in and continue to be in conversation about the mediation process Premier Moe has offered, which is currently our best option to get the company back to the bargaining table and end this dispute.”

In late December, Queen’s Bench Justice Janet McMurtry issued a court injunction allowing all vehicles entry and exit from the refinery. That included all CRC gates, the refinery business office and the McDonald Street terminal.

The injunction limited the amount of time picketers could delay vehicles at the refinery gates to a maximum of 10 minutes. If the drivers of the vehicles said they didn’t want to hear the union’s message, they were to be allowed through immediately.

The union was found in contempt of that order and fined $100,000 on Jan. 22. The dispute also has included the previous arrests of 14 picketers, including Dias.

The labour fight between Unifor and management at the Co-op oil refinery started with union members getting locked out on Dec. 5.

Unifor is disappointed at the arrest of four @Unifor594 members while peacefully picketing at one of the @CoopRefinery gates last night by @reginapolice while we continue discussions on the mediation process proposed by @PremierScottMoe to end this shameful lockout. #skpoli pic.twitter.com/jnx7xAIFCs

— Unifor (@UniforTheUnion) February 5, 2020