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Kevin Bittman, president of Unifor Local 594, said in the two months since the lockout began, there has not been any accidents caused by union members parking near the picket line.

“I don’t know why all of a sudden there’d be a public safety problem. Even at Gate 7 (the vehicles) are all in the ditch,” said Bittman.

He said most of the ticketed vehicles are not a part of the barricade but are used by pickets to make it out to the line.

“You’d just think that they had better things to do,” said Bittman. “You’d think the city’s resources could be used a little better, but, that’s their prerogative.”

Popowich acknowledged some critics are unhappy with the RPS and a perceived lack of enforcement of a court ordered injunction putting time limits on pickets delaying trucks entering the refinery.

“All along we have said that people are subject to enforcement and when that occurs is a matter of our decision making,” said Popowich. “If someone was parked illegally last week, it doesn’t mean that they are immune from enforcement.”

Going forward Bittman said the union plans to shuttle pickets out to the line to head off more tickets.

RPS Chief Evan Bray said the labour dispute has put a strain on police resources as officers investigate a spate of homicides and calls for service related to gun violence.

It’s a point Scott Doherty, executive assistant to Unifor’s national president and lead negotiator, seized upon in a post on Twitter.

“Ten police officers have the time to ticket workers’ vehicles parked safely at our peaceful picket lines. Give me a break RPS,” said part of Doherty’s tweet, showing a photo of police cruisers and officers opposite red Unifor flags, cars and pickets.

Photo by TROY FLEECE / Regina Leader-Post

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