Small contractor says he lost money on Cargill job in Sask.
This month, the province celebrated when Cargill officially opened North America's largest canola refinery in Clavet, Sask. But, according to one Saskatoon contractor, the job with the food giant cost his small operation a lot of money.
Saskatoon locksmith Mario Dima said he is out more than $14,500 following unpaid work at the facility.
"It definitely hurts, we are a small business," Dima said.
Dima said his company of three employees, Prestige Lock & Door, was hired by contracting company Century Group Inc. Constructors to install doors and hardware at Cargill's facility.
When it was time to be paid, however, most of the money never came. Dima said he now has a lawyer who recently placed a lien on the Clavet Cargill plant.
"Eventually it became a pattern that we were not going to be paid," he said of the move. "We would ask 'When are we going to be paid for our next progress payment?' And then it was a month, and the month never came."
Dima said several other contractors on the job site complained that they too were not being paid. He said he is aware of at least five other contractors who are seeking legal counsel in the matter.
Dima said his company was told a contractual disagreement between Century Group Inc. Constructors and Cargill is to blame for the situation.
"It's a dispute between people way over my head ... I am trapped in the middle," Dima explained. "If the work we did, didn't pass, that is a different story. But, the work we did passed and passed with flying colours and we stand behind our work so I believe an honest day's work for an honest day's pay."
Century Group Inc. Constructors declined an interview with CBC News, but it did confirm it is taking legal action against Cargill and various parties.
In an email, Cargill wrote it is against its policies to comment on any contractual disputes.
In the meantime, Dima said he is left with the financial hit.
"We have a responsibility to our employees, a responsibility to our suppliers and we honour those responsibilities, regardless," he said. "I am not going to tell my employees 'Cargill didn't pay us so you are not getting paid.'"
Dima said beyond the lien, he is considering other legal action to recover his costs.
"I like to trust people, I like to do business on a handshake, but, that might change from now on," he said.
