Workers Locked out of Ipsco Plant

Employees have been locked out at an Ipsco Inc. subsidiary near the steel company's main Regina plant, but Ipsco says the work stoppage will have little impact on its operations.

"This lockout is an inconvenience, but it's not a major problem for us," said spokeswoman Kelly Brossart. On Sunday, 38 workers were locked out of Ipsco's Wheat City Metal Unit, which processes scrap metal used at Ipsco's pipe manufacturing plant.

"We have many other alternatives of supply that have already been arranged," Brossart said.

Its union, the United Steelworkers, allege the lockout is illegal under provincial labor law.

Steelworkers say the company wants a five-year collective agreement while provincial laws mandate that contracts be for three years or less, unless an exemption is granted.

Staff representative Mike Park said Monday that the union is reviewing its options, and plans to take its case to the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board.

Members of Steelworkers Local 5917 have been without a contract since Dec. 31.