Mediator appointed in FCL labour dispute

SASKATOON —Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Labour Relations Minister Don Morgan have appointed Vince Ready as special mediator in negotiations between Federated Co-operatives Ltd. and Unifor Local 594. Unifor members have been locked out of the Co-op Refinery Complex in Regina since December in a dispute centred on pension security. Ready has more than 7,000 arbitration and mediation cases under his belt, including both labour and commercial disputes. The two parties will have their first meeting with him next Tuesday, after which they have 20 days to reach an agreement. If FCL and Unifor don’t arrive at a bilateral deal, Ready is empowered to recommend its terms.