# British Columbia Port Sues Striking Steelworkers Union Over Blockades Port operator seeks injunction against union picketing that disrupted critical supply chain operations. - **Source:** [Courthouse News](https://www.courthousenews.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-11 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/00a47fee-21c5-4f8f-ab86-dcd7e67f5c8a ## Port Operator Files Lawsuit PKM Canada Services Inc. has initiated legal action in the British Columbia Supreme Court against the United Steelworkers and the provincial labor federation. The operator alleges that ongoing picketing activities at their terminal are illegal and have caused significant disruptions to the movement of essential goods like grain, diesel, and sulfur. ## Strike Origins at Mine The conflict originated on October 24 when United Steelworkers Local 7619 began a strike against Teck Resources’ Highland Valley Copper mine. Negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement collapsed, leading to the work stoppage. The union cites record company profits as justification for their demands regarding improved wages and pension benefits. ## Expansion of Labor Action The labor dispute escalated when the B.C. Federation of Labour issued a hot edict, urging workers to avoid handling materials from the mine. Picketing expanded to a North Vancouver port facility, where longshore workers refused to cross picket lines, effectively halting operations for several days during early November and delaying scheduled vessel dockings. ## Disruption of Terminal Operations PKM reports that on November 6, ten out of fourteen workers on the afternoon shift refused to cross the picket line. The remaining four staff members were unable to perform necessary operations without skilled support. Consequently, the terminal experienced multiple days of inactivity, preventing the loading of cargo onto waiting vessels. ## Legal and Regulatory Challenges The company argues that picketing a location distinct from the primary workplace violates the British Columbia Labour Relations Code. Furthermore, PKM asserts that the federation’s hot edict is prohibited under the Canada Labour Code. The operator is now seeking an injunction, supported by police enforcement, to clear the terminal of picketers. ## Conflicting Orders and Compliance Despite an interim order from the Canada Industrial Relations Board on Saturday directing longshore workers to return to their duties, operations remained stalled. The B.C. Labour Relations Board issued a similar directive on Sunday, ordering the steelworkers to cease picketing at the port, yet the blockade and work refusals persisted throughout the weekend. ## Broader Allegations by Teck Teck Resources has filed a separate lawsuit alleging that union members engaged in intimidation and threatening behavior toward contractors and employees. The company also claims that picketers have caused physical damage to mine property. These allegations form part of a broader legal effort to secure injunctions against both the mine and port. ## Implications for Industrial Relations This case highlights the tension between provincial anti-scab legislation and the operational requirements of critical infrastructure. As the court prepares to hear the injunction application, the outcome will likely set a precedent for how labor federations utilize hot edicts to influence supply chains during protracted contract disputes in the mining sector. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.courthousenews.com/british-columbia-port-sues-striking-steelworkers-union/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._