canadian-marxist:

This is a powerful lesson for the labour movement across this country. The laws are made by the capitalist system and enforced in the interests of the capitalists. This struggle naturally has defied the law because it is clear that the law does not represent the interests of the workers. Therefore, the battle in Regina can only be won on the ground and not in the courts.

There needs to be mass solidarity picketing in Regina by thousands of workers to make sure not a single truck comes in or out of the plant. But to win, the movement should not stop there, but be spread further. The union has called for a boycott of Co-op products, which is correct. But this boycott needs to be backed up by material force. Solidarity pickets should be organized against any location related to Co-op and a hot edict be declared so that no union worker will touch Co-op property. Canada Post workers should refuse to touch Co-op mail, and members of management should be booed whenever they show their face at a restaurant or theatre. They should face the shame of organizing scabs to destroy the livelihoods of the workers and their families. Solidarity pickets can be organized to bring out workers in related industries.

This has moved beyond the normal back and forward of labour relations and is a struggle symbolic of all the legal limitations on trade union rights. It is vital that the workers win.