Members of the Communications, Energy & Paperworkers Local ended their 52-day old strike at the Petro-Canada refinery in Edmonton by ratifying a collective agreement. Seventy-two per cent of the workers voted to accept the deal and returned to work May 22, 2001.

"This was a tough struggle against a very large and very profitable employer," said CEP Western Administrative Vice-President Don MacNeil.

The contract contained a 9.5 % wage increase, a benefit protection letter, and a back-to-work protocol. However, the real gain for the union was a new sense of strength and unity of purpose, according to MacNeil.

"This was the first time this refinery has ever been shut down by a labour dispute," said MacNeil. "Union solidarity is very high because the members proved they could take on an employer with very deep pockets and hold their own."

MacNeil scoffed at company claims that refinery operations were normal during the strike. "Not only was production way down," said MacNeil, "there were serious concerns about the safety of the shoestring operation in the plant." He pointed out a serious power outage and the incident of plant-created grass fires during the strike as examples of poor operations.

Ron Woodford, president of 501A, supported MacNeil’s contention. "Our members had major concerns about refinery operations. We wanted a safely operating plant to return to." Woodford pointed out that the employer admitted the need for skilled, experienced workers at a recent re-orientation. "The company clearly indicated that our members were needed in the plant to ensure smooth, efficient operations," said Woodford.

"Petro-Canada is going to have to take our members much more seriously in the future," said MacNeil. "The company now knows that the union is capable of effective action in support of the membership’s needs – and that bodes well for future negotiations."