Regina Co-op refinery seeking approval for 510 bed temporary work camp

Federated Co-op Limited is planning a 510-bed work camp near its Regina refinery as contract talks continue with Unifor. Wayne Mantyka reports.

Federated Co-op Limited (FCL) is looking to build a 510-bed temporary work camp near its Regina refinery, as the company continues collective bargaining negotiations.

In a statement to CTV News, FCL director of communications and spokesperson Brad DeLorey elaborated on the company’s intentions, saying the camp will provide the Co-op Refinery Complex with “flexibility if supplementary resources are required to operate, maintain or repair the Refinery.”

DeLorey did note the camp could be used during possible labour disruptions.

Unifor 594 represents more than 700 unionized workers at the refinery.

FCL and the union are in the midst of collective bargaining – as the deal that ended a six-month labour dispute back in 2019 expired earlier this year.

• Unifor 594 strikes tentative deal with Sask. Co-op Refinery after 6-month labour dispute

Richard Exner, president of Unifor Local 594 said the union was disappointed in the application.

“We think it’s early on in the bargaining process and not necessarily warranted. Definitely premature and we think it’s going to have a negative impact on the psychological health and safety of our members,” he said.

The Saskatchewan Federation of Labour responded to the announcement with a strong condemnation and call to action.

In a news release Wednesday, titled “Stop the next Co-op Refinery ‘Scab Camp,’“ the federation called on local residents to voice their displeasure and opposition to the project by taking part in the public review process.

FCL’s proposed camp would be constructed east of the refinery site, north of McDonald Street and west of Fleet Street.

In the project application, the city notes that any work camp larger than 20 beds must be reviewed through the discretionary use procedure and approved by city council.

Following a public and technical review process which is already underway, city administration will submit the report and its recommendation to council.

• Unifor 594 ratifies deal with Co-op, ending 6-month refinery dispute

Unifor and FCL entered a deadlock during the last round of negotiations – with the dispute garnering national headlines in 2019.

Workers blocked trucks from entering and leaving the refinery complex in protest of the state of negotiations and the company’s use of replacement workers and managers.

Then-Unifor national president Jerry Dias along with 13 other union members were arrested at one point during the demonstrations.

A tentative deal was reached June 19, 2020 and ratified days later.

With files from Wayne Mantyka