Unifor unfazed by interim court order on picketing

Operations were a lot smoother Wednesday at the Co-op refinery thanks to an interim court order from the Court of Queen’s Bench.

On Tuesday, Justice Janet McMurtry granted an interim order to stop picketers at the refinery from holding up vehicles going into or out of the refinery’s property for more than five minutes.

The justice determined the union didn’t have enough time to prepare for a hearing on an injunction sought by Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL), so the argument against the picketers was set over to Monday.

Scott Doherty, executive assistant to Unifor’s national president, said the order didn’t throw a wrench into the picketers’ plans.

“We’re out secondary picketing everywhere (Wednesday) and we’re going to continue to put pressure on the employer to get back to the bargaining table,” said Doherty.

Doherty said union members were picketing at Co-op locations in Alberta, Manitoba, and B.C. as well. The union has called for a Canada-wide boycott of Co-op products.

According to Doherty, as of Wednesday afternoon the union hadn’t received a copy of the order, but he said the picketers were abiding by it anyway.

Doherty doesn’t think much of FCL going to court.

“I think it’s a good example of how disrespectful they’ve been to these loyal employees that have been there for years and years and years,” he said.

“They continue to (move) scabs in by helicopter, they continue to spend millions of dollars and want to fight this in the courts and other places as opposed to sitting down and recognizing the fact that their employees gave a clear message that they were not prepared to take the concessions that the employer wants them to take.”

The main issue in negotiations is pensions. Doherty said until the company takes the concessions off the table, there isn’t any point in sitting down to talk.

Despite the order, Doherty said the workers on the line are still doing great.

Though some on social media have taken issue with the union’s tactics, Doherty disputes the idea that it’s bullying.

“We’re not being bullies. It’s a constitutional right for us to picket when we get locked out to strike. We’re allowed to do it; it’s a freedom of expression,” said Doherty.

As for the truck drivers who were frustrated with having to wait for hours in their trucks outside the refinery before the order, Doherty said they should take that up with their employers and the refinery.

“There was absolutely no reason for them to be timing out and sitting with 50 trucks on the side of the road and trying to get in when we were holding them up for two to three hours,” said Doherty.

“They chose to have their truck drivers sit on the side of the road for 12 hours and have them time out. That’s the employer’s responsibility.”

Doherty said he thinks the majority of the public supports the workers, and what they’re doing.