There’s no sugarcoating the situation facing the small group of trucking companies dedicated to hauling fuel from the Co-op Refinery Complex in Saskatchewan to gas stations and customers in Western Canada.
It’s bad. Really bad.
The 26 companies, with 160 trucks and more than 300 drivers, haven’t been able to service the Regina facility on all but a single day since Jan. 20. The reason: a barricade by the union Unifor, whose members are in a bitter contract dispute with the refinery owner, Federated Co-operatives Limited.
The largest fuel-hauler, C.S. Day Transport, lost more than C$500,000 in revenue in January alone — a staggering sum for a firm with just 23 tractors and 45 drivers.
“We just want to get all the guys back to work,” Heather Day, president of C.S. Day Transport, told FreightWaves.
Day said the company is dipping into its reserves and has put off solar panels to keep its drivers on the payroll — and give them a substantial portion of what they would earn serving the refinery.
“We want to have our skilled group of drivers ready to go as soon as this ends,” Day said.
The blockade, in apparent defiance of a court order to limit truck delays to 10 minutes, escalated an increasingly untenable situation for fuel haulers into a dire one. Unifor members had been delaying trucks since early December after the owner locked them out in response to a strike notice.
Drivers report intimidation, punctured tires
The dedicated carriers are effectively between a rock and a hard place because they can’t service other customers without jeopardizing their business with the refinery.
“They’re caught in the middle of all this,” said Susan Ewart, executive director of the Saskatchewan Trucking Association.
Alongside the delays, multiple trucking companies reported punctured tires and instances of driver intimidation. Recently, a black SUV followed one of Day’s drivers to a gas station.
The heart of the dispute involves pension benefits for refinery workers represented by Unifor. Federated Co-operatives Limited and the union have at least one point of agreement: Fuel-haulers are getting rough.
“It’s a tough situation for the truckers,” acknowledged Kevin Bittman, president of Unifor Local 594.
Bittman denied that his members have sabotaged any trucks or intimidated drivers — but was also unapologetic about Unifor’s hard line on the pension dispute.
Federated Co-operatives blames Unifor for creating the situation in the first place. A spokesperson also acknowledged the impact on its dedicated trucking companies.
“We understand their frustration and thank them for their patience and continued support,” said Federated Co-operatives spokesperson Brad Delorey.
Day, for her part, hopes Federated Co-operatives and Unifor reach an agreement “sooner rather than later” and has been checking in with fuel customers to ensure her drivers can rapidly deploy to serve them when they’re able.
The Regina Police Service considers the blockade illegal but has given no indications they will try to move it by force. In the absence of an agreement, Day wants the police to remove the barricade.
“We’re crossing our fingers and hoping the Regina Police will do the right thing,” Day said.
Noble1 suggests SMART truck drivers should UNITE & collectively cut out the middlemen from picking truck driver pockets ! IMHO
9th Avenue North closed between Winnipeg Street and McDonald Street, police say
Regina police are reacting . This time they changed their strategy . Once they cleared 9th avenue from all barricades , they shut down 9th avenue North in front of the Refinery in Sask Regina .
The only vehicles they are allowing through are the fuel hauler trucks , not even a pedestrian ! Unifor where ? NOT THERE , LOL !
It’s about time
IMHO
Noble1 suggests SMART truck drivers should UNITE & collectively cut out the middlemen from picking truck driver pockets ! IMHO
Quote :
REGINA — Police are blocking a portion of Ninth Avenue North near the Co-op Refinery Complex to clear “structures and debris” from city property in the area.
In a news release, Regina police say they’re working to “restore a safe physical environment” to “support peaceful, lawful and safe picketing by members of Unifor Canada, Local 594 and their supporters.”
Officers blocked Ninth Avenue North between McDonald Street and Winnipeg Street late Thursday evening.
Police say taking down blockades into the refinery is in accordance with a court order limiting the length of time union members could stop trucks from entering or exiting the property.
Vehicles and pedestrians are being restricted from entering the area to remove the barricades. Police say they have obtained permits from the city to block the roadway.
Picketing workers will be able to walk with signs and other materials in the area, but police say vehicles “not related to the operation of the businesses in the area” won’t be allowed.
Before the blockades came down, Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Don Morgan said the province would only appoint a mediator if the blackades were removed by the union.
“While Unifor members have the right to take legal job action, they do not have the right to erect illegal blockades,” Morgan said.
On Thursday evening, Unifor Local 594 issued a plan that it said would end the labour dispute as early as Monday.
Below are the proposals made by Unifor:
The appointment of a special mediator with the power to implement a collective agreement should the parties not reach a negotiated deal in seven days,
The employer immediately removes replacement workers from the refinery,
The picket lines immediately come down, and
The workers return to work as early as Monday, February 10.
“Binding arbitration is a mechanism available in any labour dispute in Saskatchewan if both sides agree to it. The government cannot impose it under the existing legislation,” Morgan said in an emailed statement.
It is unclear whether a mediator will be appointed now that police have removed the blockades.”
End quote :
REQUOTE :
On Thursday evening, Unifor Local 594 issued a plan that it said would end the labour dispute as early as Monday.
LOL ! They’re scared now with that $1 Million fine & $100k per day fine and the 90 & 60 day incarceration demands . If ya gonna do da crime , ya gotta be willin’ ta do da time ! LOL !
IMHO !
Noble1 suggests SMART truck drivers should UNITE & collectively cut out the middlemen from picking truck driver pockets ! IMHO
“Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Don Morgan UPDATE !
Quote :
“Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Don Morgan released a statement this morning;
“The Government of Saskatchewan has been clear that the only way this situation will be resolved is if the parties agree to come to the table. We have made the offer of a special mediator to assist in bringing both parties back to the bargaining table to reach a negotiated settlement.
The Government of Saskatchewan has been clear that the only way this situation will be resolved is if the parties agree to come to the table. We have made the offer of a special mediator to assist in bringing both parties back to the bargaining table to reach a negotiated settlement.
Special mediators have a track record of success in Saskatchewan when both parties were willing to come to the table as equal partners. In fact, since forming government, every appointment of a special mediator has resulted in the parties being able to reach a successful agreement.
In 2011 a special mediator was brought in to assist in the conflict between the teachers and government, and again in 2016 between the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses and the Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations. What Unifor is now proposing is effectively binding arbitration by another name.
Binding arbitration is a mechanism available in any labour dispute in Saskatchewan if both sides agree to it. The government cannot impose it under the existing legislation.
This dispute now has the potential to not only affect the Saskatchewan economy, but the safety and security of Saskatchewan families.
While Unifor members have the right to take legal job action, they do not have the right to erect illegal blockades
. We continue to encourage all parties to respect the law and we continue to expect the Regina Police Services to enforce the law.
The province’s offer of appointing a special mediator contingent on the removal of the illegal blockades still stands.”- Don Morgan, Q.C., Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety.
Noble1 suggests SMART truck drivers should UNITE & collectively cut out the middlemen from picking truck driver pockets ! IMHO
Unifor & Local 594 is going down in history !
IMHO
Quote :
Co-op Refinery seeks jail time for Bittman, millions in fines against Unifor in court; judge reserves decision
The Co-op Refinery Complex (CRC) is asking a Regina judge to impose a precedent-setting fine on Unifor Local 594 plus jail time for its high-ranking leaders.
During a contempt of court hearing, Thursday at Regina’s Court of Queen’s Bench, CRC argued in favour of a $1 million fine plus an additional $100,000 for every day they prevent people from getting in and out of Co-op facilities.
“Out of the gate Unifor has resorted to unlawful conduct,” said CRC Plaintiff Eileen Libby. She said the union has a “complete disregard for the orders of the court…100 plus times.”
She asked the court to impose a 90-day jail sentence on Local 594 President Kevin Bittman and a 30-day jail sentence on Vice President Lance Holowachuk for them allegedly breaking a 10-minute hold-up order issued in December.
Libby cited examples from over 20 submitted affidavits and evidence containing hundreds of hours of video.
“The union intentionally disobeyed the order,” Libby said. She accused Bittman and Holowachuk of encouraging members to further violate the Dec. 24 court order.
“That’s the behaviour that got us here today,” Libby said. “There’s a way to avoid paying [the fine]. Obey the order.”
Unifor’s request to adjourn the hearing to cross-examine the affidavits was rejected by Judge Neil Robertson.
Counsel for Unifor Local 594, Crystal Norbeck, later questioned some of the evidence presented in court. She said it’s not appropriate for Bittman to be accused of obstruction “for standing by a barricade.”
Libby said a donation to a charity of the court’s choice would be more appropriate than being fined $1 million.
If the fine is granted by the court, it will be the highest of its kind in Canada said Norbeck.
Libby agreed the fine is “significant” but said she makes no apologies.
“This union needs to understand that $100,000 is apparently the cost of being in business – zero effect,” Libby said. Unifor was previously fined $100,000 on Jan. 22 after being found in contempt of court.
Norbeck assured the judge her clients Bittman and Holowachuk are taking the matter seriously. She said the suggestion of jail is very serious and that they shouldn’t “even need to spend nine minutes in jail.”
The defence highlighted the difference between Local 594 and Unifor National arguing that “some control” in the dispute is being exerted by parties not in court.
“Hundreds of people are here from the labour movement in general,” Norbeck said.
Following the five-hour hearing, Judge Robertson said he will reserve his decision on the matter. It is unknown when it will appear back before the court.
Unifor currently has barricades around Co-op’s refinery in Regina and their fuel storage facility in Carseland, Atla.
On Thursday, a Calgary judge ruled that Unifor’s barricade around the Carseland facility must go, but picketers can stay.
Noble1 suggests SMART truck drivers should UNITE & collectively cut out the middlemen from picking truck driver pockets ! IMHO
Quote :
“We could not locate a single case in the history of this province where an employer has been before the court for a second time pleading that the court’s orders simply be respected,” said Consumers Co-operative Refinery Limited (CCRL) lawyer Eileen Libby.
CCRL is also seeking an order that would authorize it to remove the barricades around the refinery.”
Good get some bulldozers and fire hoses ! LOL ! Then before you bulldoze , tell Unifor members to discard due to “slippery when wet” , LOL !
Or better yet , remove your strikebreakers and negotiate like gentlemen !
IMHO
Noble1 suggests SMART truck drivers should UNITE & collectively cut out the middlemen from picking truck driver pockets ! IMHO
A cacophony of truck horns blared through the downtown, drowning out a meeting going on at city hall as the convoy rallied outside.
NICE !!!!
Noble1 suggests SMART truck drivers should UNITE & collectively cut out the middlemen from picking truck driver pockets ! IMHO
TELL FCL TO GET A BULLDOZER OR YOU WON’T SHIP THEIR FUEL ! THIS IS BEYOND RIDICULOUS !
The cops opened the gate without thinking that UNIFOR would lock you in afterwards , LOL ! Some cops they got in Regina , LOL @ them ! VERY SILLY POLICEMEN !
IMHO
Quote :
“Several truck drivers locked inside Co-op Refinery, RPS seizes 31 vehicles at picket line
REGINA — Update: Seven truckers locked inside the Ninth Avenue loading terminal have been released. One trucker is still locked inside the McDonald Street loading terminal.
A privately contracted fuel truck driver is one of eight who are locked inside the Co-op Refinery Complex (CRC).
The drivers and their trucks went into the refinery around 3 a.m. Thursday morning to fuel up. Before they could leave, the drivers say Unifor members set up gates and locked the drivers inside.
Blake Ratcliffe told CTV News, through a fence, that he’s had better mornings.
“Some drivers and a couple owner operators are locked in here also,” he said. “We just want to haul fuel and get it out to the public.”
Ratcliffe said he feels like he’s caught in the middle of a dispute that does not involve him, or the other independent truckers employed by Co-op.
“I have six drivers, just trying to make a living for them, keep them going and get paid,” he said.
Ratcliffe said the truckers locked inside have no access to food.
The Regina Police Service says it has not opened gates at the refinery, following reports to the contrary.
“Our officers seized 31 vehicles at the refinery complex last night, but our officers did not open any gates,” RPS said in an emailed news release.
The statement from Regina police comes after a release from C.S. Day Transportation Ltd. which said “that the gates were briefly opened by RPS at about 3ish this morning.”
C.S. Day Transportation Ltd. also said there were a number of trucks locked inside the refinery overnight. “
Noble1 suggests SMART truck drivers should UNITE & collectively cut out the middlemen from picking truck driver pockets ! IMHO
Quote :
Canadian Criminal Law/Offences/Hostage Taking
Legislation
Hostage taking
279.1 (1) Everyone takes a person hostage who — with intent to induce any person, other than the hostage, or any group of persons or any state or international or intergovernmental organization to commit or cause to be committed any act or omission as a condition, whether express or implied, of the release of the hostage —
(a) confines, imprisons, forcibly seizes or detains that person;
REGINA POLICE WAKE UP !!!!
IMHO …….
Noble1 suggests SMART truck drivers should UNITE & collectively cut out the middlemen from picking truck driver pockets ! IMHO
EARTH TO PREMIER SCOTT MOE ! DO YOU READ ? EARTH TO PREMIER SCOTT MOE !
Get the Saskatchewan police chief FIRED ! He insulted you publicly and he’s not doing his job ! He’s not upholding the law ! He’s allowing UNIFOR to keep people hostage !
It’s a Canadian criminal offense ! Why aren’t these UNIFOR hostage takers not arrested and incarcerated for detaining people against their will ???
IMHO …………
Noble1 suggests SMART truck drivers should UNITE & collectively cut out the middlemen from picking truck driver pockets ! IMHO
UPDATE !
Fuel haulers to rally downtown over union barricades at Co-op Refinery Complex
REGINA — Truck drivers who haul fuel for Federated Co-operatives Limited and the Co-op Refinery Complex are set to hold a protest in Regina’s downtown on Thursday over barricades in place at the refinery.
The Indepenedent Lease Operators will meet at City Hall before staging “protest laps” around downtown, including the police station, with drivers behind the wheel of their respective trucks.
The group is demanding the barricades at the refinery be removed and that truck access be restored.
“While the Lease Operators respect Unifor’s right to peacefully picket, the illegal barricades do not represent peaceful protest in any way and need to come down,” a release sent by the group reads. “With the blockades stretching to nearly three weeks, the transportation companies are now facing the possibility of severe financial hardship, potential employee layoffs and some are even at risk of closing their doors permanently.”
Noble1 suggests SMART truck drivers should UNITE & collectively cut out the middlemen from picking truck driver pockets ! IMHO
YOU SEE THAT UNIFOR ? I get your game plan , but you screwed up with the truck drivers ! Now they’re putting pressure “against” you rather than with you !
I hope they all blow their horns at the same time around the cop station , LOL ! Perhaps that’ll wake them up !
That being said , the cops appear to be indirectly aiding the union by dragging their feet . Aren’t cops themselves unionized ?
Quote :
Canadian Police Association
“In 2003, the original “Canadian Police Association” was merged with the National Association of Professional Police, a coalition of American “police unions and associations” with a mandate to promote “the interests of America’s law enforcement officers”.
The merger resulted in the formation of the Canadian Professional Police Association. At their annual convention in Victoria, British Columbia in August 2006, Canadian Professional Police Association members agreed to revert the name back to the Canadian Police Association because it was more recognizable and user friendly ”
End quote .
Law enforcement appears to be doing the minimum just to justify that they’re there .
IMHO !
Noble1 suggests SMART truck drivers should UNITE & collectively cut out the middlemen from picking truck driver pockets ! IMHO
Often times when an organized labour union gets into your co , you don’t control the co anymore unless you control the union .
A union that wants to play hard ball will shut YOU down .
Let that be a lesson to carriers .
TRUCK DRIVERS SHOULD UNITE !(wink) Too many carriers out there , too many .
IMHO
Noble1 suggests SMART truck drivers should UNITE & collectively cut out the middlemen from picking truck driver pockets ! IMHO
Got to go through binding arbitration . Unifor wants their members back to work while negotiating . That’s why they’re breaking laws with their barricades . They want to force the government’s hand due to causing a fuel shortage .
FCL didn’t play their cards right .
IMHO .
Noble1 suggests SMART truck drivers should UNITE & collectively cut out the middlemen from picking truck driver pockets ! IMHO
Due to the potential fuel shortage , we’re seeing government get involved and why Scott Moe put pressure on law enforcement .
In my humble opinion .
If a police officer’s child would be in need of immediate urgent medical attention and there was not enough fuel available to transport the child to a medical facility due to a barricade and the child passed away due to such a PREVENTABLE circumstance . How would the law enforcement agent feel then ? Who would that officer blame ? FCL ? The Union ? Or himself/herself for not enforcing the law and removing those barricades ???
I wouldn’t want to potentially have such weight on my conscience .
An ounce of prevention in worth a pound of cure . Rather than play big in the media by responding arrogantly to a politician ,
DO YOUR JOB & ENFORCE THE LAW !
Quote :
“Sask. paramedic service impacted by fuel restrictions on Co-op Cardlocks”
Government call to duty ! Unifor won’t back down and FCL is to arrogant to act any wiser .
In regards to truckers . If truckers who haul fuel all shut down , government would exercise a law forcing them to haul a minimum amount or face incarceration and fines .
IMHO .
Noble1 suggests SMART truck drivers should UNITE & collectively cut out the middlemen from picking truck driver pockets ! IMHO
Quote:
February 5 2020
“Police investigating after 7 Co-op Refinery managers homes vandalized ”
Did FCL anticipate this too ? I’m sure as heck not surprised . History has shown us Organized Labour Union members can do and have done much worse .
KNOW YOUR OPPONENT ! STUDY THEM ! ANTICIPATE THEM , AND PREVENT ! THEY HAVEN’T CHANGED !
LAW ENFORCEMENT DOES NOT PREVENT , IT REACTS ! ORGANIZED LABOUR UNIONS DO NOT PREVENT , THEY REACT !
ENTREPRENEURS SHOULD PREVENT ! You’re suppose to be WISER ! DON’T PROVOKE ! These are very delicate situations . FCL has not outwitted their opponents , they have provoked them to up the ante . That’s exactly what their opponents have done !
At first FCL outwitted them . Then their opponents got frustrated and their reactions began to snowball from there .
FCL has not handled this affair well .
NOW I SUGGEST THEY BE WISER BEFORE THIS POTENTIALLY CAN REALLY GET OUT OF HAND !
Quote :
Union violence is violence committed by unions or union members during labor disputes. When union violence has occurred, it has frequently been in the context of industrial unrest. Violence has ranged from isolated acts by individuals to wider campaigns of organised violence aimed at furthering union goals within an industrial dispute .
Anti-union violence has also occurred frequently in the context of industrial unrest, and has often involved the collusion of management and government authorities, private agencies, or citizens’ groups in organising violence against unions and their members.
Protests and verbal abuse are routinely aimed against union members or replacement workers who cross picket lines (“blacklegs” or “scabs”) during industrial disputes.
The inherent aim of a union is to create a labor monopoly so as to balance the monopsony a large employer enjoys as a purchaser of labor.
Strikebreakers threaten that goal and undermine the union’s bargaining position, and occasionally this erupts into violent confrontation, with violence committed either by, or against, strikers. Some who have sought to explain such violence observe, if labor disputes are accompanied by violence, it may be because labor has no legal redress.
In 1894, some workers declared:
…”the right of employers to manage their own business to suit themselves,” is fast coming to mean in effect nothing less than a right to manage the country to suit themselves.
Occasionally, violent disputes occur between unions, when one union breaks another’s strike”
End quote .
This is just a small glimpse into what can occur and what should be prevented , and should not be provoked into occurring .
On another note :
REQUOTE :
In 1894, some workers declared:
…”the right of employers to manage their own business to suit themselves,” is fast coming to mean in effect nothing less than a right to manage the country to suit themselves.”
Think about that . They suggested such in 1894 ! Fast forward 126 years , were they right ?
FCL play your cards well . Unifor is showing you that “they don’t care” about the law ! BE WISE !
In my humble opinion ………….
Noble1 suggests SMART truck drivers should UNITE & collectively cut out the middlemen from picking truck driver pockets ! IMHO
From my perspective , where Unifor screwed up among many points is one in particular . They didn’t approach TRUCK DRIVERS in a way that affects truck drivers in regards to truck driver hardship !
They had and still have the opportunity to persuade truck drivers into realizing how under paid they are and all the BS they endure in their industry . GET THOSE TRUCKERS ON YOUR SIDE and offer them SUPPORT ! They’ve seen some of your successes .
You’re a freaking organized labour union for crying out loud !!! If you can persuade those truckers to believe that you’ll improve their circumstances through UNITY , and keep your word , then FCL is totally screwed ! They need their commodity to be TRANSPORTED !
Rather than holding truckers up for 10 minutes and crying about YOUR unease , talk to them about theirs and the power you have that they can reap from by joining YOU ! Truckers understand the language of MONEY ! What can YOU UNIFOR DO FOR TRUCKERS ??? That’s the question YOU should be asking yourselves !
It doesn’t matter if some are O/O’s ! BE CREATIVE !
In my humble opinion ………
Noble1 suggests SMART truck drivers should UNITE & collectively cut out the middlemen from picking truck driver pockets ! IMHO
Unifor’s campaign on the picket line in front of the Refinery should be :
WE WANT TO SUPPORT TRUCKERS OBTAIN HIGHER WAGES , ASK US HOW !
THEY’LL LISTEN ! AND THEY’LL LISTEN FOR MORE THAN 10 FREAKING MINUTES !
YOU GUYS FREAKING EARN OVER $100,000.00 A YEAR AT THA REFINERY ! TRUCKERS WILL LISTEN !
Approach them with a cup of Tim Horton’s coffee , and
SELL THEM A STORY THAT INTERESTS THEM ! MORE MONEY , BETTER TREATMENT , MORE BENEFITS ! AND MUTUALLY GAIN MORE POWER IN THE PROCESS !
Get some signs made that advocate that ! Broaden your focus !
In my humble opinion ………..
Noble1 suggests SMART truck drivers should UNITE & collectively cut out the middlemen from picking truck driver pockets ! IMHO
Quote :
“VANCOUVER, Nov. 29, 2015 /CNW/ – Container truck drivers at several Metro Vancouver trucking companies have voted to ratify collective agreements with Unifor today after several days of around-the-clock bargaining. Companies with new collective agreements include AG, Aheer, Forward, Prudential, and Sunlover.
“These collective agreements are a major step forward for the sector’s drivers,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor’s BC Area Director. “Unifor drivers have a major advantage with fair rates and working conditions with this deal.”
Roughly 75% of truck drivers represented by Unifor have now ratified a collective agreement that won’t expire until July 2019—a major step towards stability at Port Metro Vancouver. The new deal ensures that all outstanding retro pay will be paid out to drivers within 30 days, improves rates for CN and CP moves, and fixes the pay chart for “off dock” moves.
In addition to job security protections and better dispatching language, companies will also start contributing toward a benefit plan for both owner-operators and company drivers.”
YOU SEE !!! SHOW THEM !!!
Google this one :
Vancouver’s container truckers open negotiations
Another :
Quote:
B.C.’s container truckers welcome new pay increases
“April 18, 2019
VANCOUVER—Unifor’s efforts are paying off for container truck drivers in B.C.’s lower mainland as the Horgan government introduces a suite of changes that will make work better for more than 1,700 truckers and help to stabilize the industry.
“Few industries need regulation as badly as the container trucking industry,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “It’s hard to overstate just how much wage theft our members have seen over the years from unethical employers. We welcome the Horgan government’s continued leadership on protecting hard-working container truckers.””
WAKE UP UNIFOR !
GET THOSE REFINERY TRUCKERS ON YOUR SIDE !
SHOW THEM WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR THEM !
In my humble opinion …………….