Teck’s Highland Valley Copper Mine Faces Possible Saturday Strike

A strike notice from United Steelworkers (USW) Local 7619 sets 11 a.m. ET (15:00 UTC) Saturday, Oct. 24, as the earliest possible walkout at Teck’s Highland Valley Copper operation, after contract talks failed.

The mine near Logan Lake, British Columbia, remains in operation. Teck has contingency plans for safety and environmental management if workers walk out. The collective agreement expired Sept. 30.

Local 7619 represents about 1,200 workers at the mine. All 944 participants in a strike authorization vote backed strike action. The union has proposed measures addressing staffing shortages, wages and pensions.

“We want a fair deal and we are prepared to do what it takes to get one,” said Kyle Wolff, president of USW Local 7619.

Teck’s mine-life extension plan is designed to keep Highland Valley Copper operating from 2028 through 2046. It projects average annual copper production of 132,000 tonnes over the mine’s life.

Local 7619 remains available to continue negotiations during the notice period. The earliest possible walkout is 11 a.m. ET (15:00 UTC) Saturday, Oct. 24.