Workers at a facility in B.C.’s Port of Prince Rupert responsible for testing materials destined for export from various industries have given notice of a strike set to begin on Friday, as announced by their union. The International Longshore & Warehouse Union Local 505 stated on Thursday that lab and preparation technicians at SGS Minerals unanimously voted in favor of a strike, with the notice effective starting August 14. SGS Minerals, a branch of the global testing and certification company SGS, employs four workers in Prince Rupert who conduct tests on samples such as coal and wood pellets to assist in determining cargo specifications and commercial value prior to shipment.
Keith Cociani, the president of ILWU Local 505, raised concerns that a strike could lead to the relocation of sample testing to other SGS facilities in B.C., potentially resulting in increased costs and shipment delays. He highlighted the significance of the Prince Rupert lab and the possible repercussions of its closure, emphasizing that transferring samples to Vancouver or Delta for processing would likely disrupt operations and escalate expenses for the company.
The workers, who were established as an ILWU Local 505 bargaining unit in November 2024, have been engaged in negotiations for their initial collective agreement. Cociani expressed dissatisfaction with the employer’s stance on wages, noting that an attempt to present a final offer directly to the workers was unanimously rejected. Despite mediation efforts by the B.C. Labour Relations Board, the company failed to respond to the union’s counter-offer, prompting calls for the company to re-engage in negotiations and provide a counter-proposal rather than persist in demanding concessions from the workers.
Cociani emphasized the unity and determination of the SGS Minerals workforce, implying that the company’s approach to bargaining with the workers is underestimating their resolve. CBC News has sought comment from SGS Minerals regarding the impending strike.