There are nearly 150 people looking for work after they found themselves locked out of New Food Classics, Tuesday morning.

Some of those employees are in Saskatoon as part of the provincial nomination program - these foreign workers could be facing big issues, said Norm Neault, president of United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1400.

"Several of the members are under the provincial nomination program, which will quite likely exempt them from any kind of assistance with E.I. So, it's pretty paramount to get them some work," he said.

Neault said he doesn't know the intricacies of the program, but says they might have to leave the country.

"If there is no employment for them, if someone else under the program does not pick them up, I'm not sure what their options are, but I'm sure that's probably one of them," he said.

New Food Classics was under creditor protection and having trouble with finances, but workers were optimistic, he said.

This Saskatoon plant isn't the only one operated by New Food Classics - they have a second plant in St. Catherine's. These plants made frozen beef burgers, and other cooked protein products.

He said the union had heard that there were several buyers interested in the plant.

"It looked optimistic, although (closing) is in the back of your mind, it was looking like things would be okay. For them to come along on Tuesday morning and see the clouds start raining, so to speak, was pretty disastrous to them," he said about the workers realizing they were locked out.

The company is going into receivership, but the receiver was unavailable for comment.

The union is working with their workers to ensure they will get any money that is owed to them such as wages and vacation time. They are offering classes in resume writing, CPR and first aid, Nault said.

As far as the plan reopening, Nault said he is encouraged by the fact that there were several buyers interested.

"I'm hopefully, but not overly optimistic."

Currently, the union outreaching to various companies in Saskatoon, letting them know that there are skilled workers available.