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“It’s clearly an attempt to circumvent the collective bargaining process, attack my board of directors and replace them with union puppets so that they can force co-op management into accepting the union’s demands,” Wicks said.

Photo by Liam Richards / Saskatoon StarPhoenix

UFCW spokesman Rod Gillies said the union — which shared the petition on social media and endorsed it publicly — did not instigate the campaign, and has “no connection” with Thebaud, who is exercising his right as a co-op member.

“It’s a non-issue,” Gillies said.

The second complaint accuses the union of engaging in “unlawful strike activity” because UFCW Local 1400 is party to a separate application before the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board involving a co-op store with different union representation.

Gillies said his reaction to that complaint was one of “disappointment but not surprise,” and that the co-operative appears to be using “litigation rather than negotiation” to end the strike, which began on Nov. 1.

Pointing to a Saskatoon Co-op news release that stated employees “decided to exercise their right to strike,” he questioned why the co-operative changed its view. He added that UFCW Local 1400 ceased to be party to the earlier application last month.

“Everybody wants the employees off the picket line, including us, and that (happens) through bargaining,” he said.

Wicks could not immediately be reached for comment regarding the second complaint, which came to light late Friday afternoon. Both complaints contain allegations that have not been tested before the Labour Relations Board.