Workers at a company in British Columbia’s Port of Prince Rupert, responsible for testing materials for export from various industries such as mining and forestry, have given strike notice effective Friday, as reported by their union, the International Longshore & Warehouse Union Local 505. The lab and preparation technicians at SGS Minerals, a division of the global testing, inspection, and certification company SGS, voted unanimously in favor of a strike and issued the notice to begin on August 14.

The four workers based in Prince Rupert conduct tests on samples like coal and wood pellets to assist in determining cargo quality and commercial value before shipment. Keith Cociani, the president of ILWU Local 505, expressed concerns that a strike could result in samples needing to be sent to SGS facilities in other locations in British Columbia, potentially leading to increased expenses and shipment delays.

Cociani highlighted the significance of the Prince Rupert lab and the potential repercussions of its closure, emphasizing that transferring samples to Vancouver or Delta for processing would likely cause disruptions and escalate costs. The workers, who formed the ILWU Local 505 bargaining unit in November 2024 and have been striving to secure their initial collective agreement, have encountered challenges with the employer regarding wage negotiations.

According to Cociani, the company’s rigid stance on wages, including attempting to present a final offer directly to workers, which was unanimously rejected, has led to a deadlock in negotiations. Despite the involvement of the B.C. Labour Relations Board for mediation, the company has not responded to the union’s counter-offer. Cociani urged the company to resume negotiations and provide a counter-offer instead of pressuring workers to lower their demands, emphasizing the unity and determination of the workforce at SGS Minerals.

SGS Minerals has been contacted by CBC News for their input on the situation.