Unifor says striking Dominion workers were threatened with arrest at their picket line in Donovans last night.
Lead negotiator Chris Macdonald says they had been picketing at Weston Foods for the past two days, but the RNC stepped in last night as the company attempted to ship its product.
(Trucks waiting for an opportunity to leave the Weston Foods lot in Donovans.)
Police lights shone through the hazy night as workers took a stand, stating that the drivers were free to depart but they would not permit the product to leave the lot.
The RNC requested that the way be cleared.
Macdonald says they were warned that they would be arrested on a Criminal Code offence for blocking a highway, while the picket line —he says— was in a driveway.
Unifor members rebuffed the RNC’s attempts to disperse the crowd by stating that they were holding a legal and peaceful picket line. Workers tell VOCM News that as far as they’re aware, no injunction had successfully been instated.
Macdonald says negotiating team members are gathering at the Sheraton Hotel today, and they are welcoming Loblaw officials to return to negotiations. A resolution, Unifor says, will only take place at the bargaining table.
Earlier Story
There is a police presence at the secondary Dominion picket line at Weston Foods in Mount Pearl.
The workers moved their picket line to the site yesterday from the Loblaw Distribution Warehouse located nearby.
Unifor members have sat themselves on the picket line at Weston Foods. The RNC is requesting that they clear the way for trucks to move through. pic.twitter.com/6abqQ8gMoV
— Jeff Smyth (@JeffSmythVOCM) October 27, 2020
Delivery trucks are waiting in the wings, trying to leave the premises. Unifor reps on site say the drivers are welcome to cross the picket line, but they won’t be letting any product leave.
Police have requested that the striking workers clear the way for the trucks, but Unifor’s lead negotiator Chris Macdonald says it is a legal and peaceful picket line.
He continues that a resolution will come at the bargaining table, and says they have a meeting space booked out tomorrow at the Sheraton Hotel and are inviting Loblaw representatives to join them.
The trucks, carrying product from Weston Bakery here in Donovan's, have cut their engines.
There is no movement in terms of the next round of negotiations, but MacDonald reiterates the invitation for Loblaw to join them at the table. pic.twitter.com/07Xg2EmnNA
— Jeff Smyth (@JeffSmythVOCM) October 27, 2020
