Highland Valley Copper strike: 1,277 workers off the job since October 24; federation calls for product freeze

Since October 24, more than 1,200 members of United Steelworkers Local 7619 have been off the job at the Highland Valley Copper mine near Kamloops, and the BC Federation of Labour has now called on its affiliated members to refuse to handle, ship or process products from the mine.

The freeze, which the federation calls a "hot edict," was issued Friday. BCFED president Sussanne Skidmore said it was an "exceptional step," adding that "it's become clear this employer believes they can wait out their workers and operate around this strike and B.C.'s anti-scab law." The federation has not said publicly how many products are affected.

The union's contract expired September 30. The union says wages, contract work and health and safety are in dispute, and that silica dust and degrading equipment are key concerns. Teck Resources, which owns the mine, has asked for a 25 per cent reduction in pensions at the table, according to Wolff.

Wolff said managers and supervisors are operating equipment such as crushers on long shifts to keep the mine running, and said he does not know whether they are certified to do so. The union alleges that supervisors and contractors have been doing strikers' work, and has complained to the B.C. Labour Relations Board, which held expedited hearings. No ruling had been published as of November 7.

Teck spokesperson Sarah Payne said by email that operations are continuing at a reduced capacity and that the company is committed to reaching a fair agreement at the bargaining table. Teck's CFO told investors on an October 29 earnings call that output is expected toward the high end of its guidance "despite the strike."

The Labour Relations Board ruling on the replacement-worker complaint is the next date to watch. No talks have been reported since the strike began.