Co-op strike supporter hit by car during rally at 33rd Street location

A 51-year-old man suffered minor injuries when he was struck by a vehicle during a rally in support of striking Saskatoon Co-op employees.

The incident happened Thursday around 6:50 p.m., at the south-facing entrance to the co-operative’s 33rd Street grocery store and gas station, according to the head of the union representing Co-op employees.

Saskatoon police spokesman Const. Ryan Ehalt said Friday that police responded to an incident at the 33rd Street Co-op location, and that an investigation was underway.

United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1400 president Norm Neault said the man appeared to be on his phone and, unlike others in the crowd, did not see the car approaching the entrance.

“I thought, ‘Holy hell, what’s going on here?’ And the guy sped up and ‘Boom,’ ” Neault said. “I couldn’t believe it.”

The extent of the man’s injuries were not clear when paramedics took him from the scene to hospital, Neault said.

The incident occurred at the second rally on Thursday in support of striking Saskatoon Co-op employees. The first was held earlier in the day outside Federated Coop’s downtown office.

Around 900 Saskatoon Co-op employees, who have been without a contract for 25 months, have been on strike since Nov. 1. The labour dispute hinges on a proposed second wage tier that would lower new employees’ maximum hourly earnings.

The strike has grown increasingly contentious since it began, and there is little indication the union and management are any closer to reaching a settlement.

MATT OLSON Venus Panio and her dog Clark march Thursday with protesters during a rally outside the Saskatoon Co-op main office. On Thursday night, police were called to the Co-op’s 33rd Street location after a man was hit by a vehicle during a second rally supporting the striking workers.