How are 3 labour disputes affecting the Port of Prince Rupert? - CBC

Three labour disputes at the Port of Prince Rupert could slow down operations. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)Social SharingA trio of labour disputes at the Port of Prince Rupert are threatening to slow down shipments overseas, as Canada looks to diversify trade away from the United States. 

The port on British Columbia’s northwest coast is the third busiest in the country, and the closest link between Canada and important Asian markets. 

But the disputes are already having an impact, as AltaGas announced it is preparing for a slowdown in propane shipments.

Rail data also shows the number of coal and petroleum coke trains arriving at Trigon Pacific Terminals, located at the port, has fallen by nearly half compared with the previous two months.

Port strike in Prince Rupert set to impact B.C. propane exports

Approximately 110 workers at Trigon are on the picket line, having walked off the job on Oct. 2. 

The employees under International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 523 operate the equipment that unloads coal and petroleum coke from trains, move it through the terminal, and load it onto ships for export. 

Trigon provides rail logistics and berthing services for the Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal that AltaGas operates, and also operates the largest bulk export terminal in northern B.C.

The union is asking for improved wages, benefits and scheduling, and has concerns about more automated equipment potentially being introduced, reducing the need for workers. 

Four lab and preparation technicians at SGS Minerals, which tests materials for export from mining, forestry and other industries, have been on strike since late summer. 

ILWU Local 505 said the samples normally tested by their workers may have to be sent to other B.C. laboratories, possibly increasing costs and causing delays.

The union was certified as a bargaining unit in November 2024. It is working to negotiate its first collective agreement, with wages cited as the key issue in the dispute. 

Finally, just under 10 employees at Wolverine Terminals, represented by ILWU Local 400, have been locked out as of the start of November. 

The workers maintain and discharge oil barges, supporting the shipping lines that come and go in the port. 

Local 400 is also looking for its first collective agreement, with wages and scheduling their main issues.

A liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) export facility is seen under construction at the Ridley Island Energy Export Facility, in Prince Rupert on Sept. 28. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

On Oct. 27, AltaGas warned that the Trigon strike was causing it to prepare for a slowdown in operations at its propane export facility in Prince Rupert. 

Trigon provides rail logistics and berthing services for the Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal that AltaGas operates. 

According to RailState, which provides independent rail data, the number of coal and petroleum coke trains arriving at the Trigon terminal fell by 48 per cent between August/September and October. The average drop was from 11.2 trains a week to 5.8.

The same data shows Conuma Coal, Trigon’s largest customer, went from 8.1 coal trains a week to 2.9. 

Some trains were diverted to Westshore Terminals in Vancouver, RailState added. 

The Canada Industrial Relations Board rejected a complaint from Trigon in October that alleged the union was bargaining in bad faith. The strike was upheld. 

Trigon was also ordered to stop using contractors for some duties that would normally be done by regular workers, including specified work handling liquefied petroleum gas rail cars.

In a statement, Trigon said its management team has provided base level operations to customers since the employee walk out, and discussions between the two parties have continued. However, the two sides remain far apart on key issues, it added. 

"Trigon currently has six proposals on the table, and the union has approximately 30," it said.

"Despite this gap, Trigon Terminals remains committed to good faith bargaining, working to achieve a fair and reasonable agreement that delivers value to our employees and is sustainable for the company."

Three groups of workers are striking at the Port of Prince Rupert. (Matt Allen/CBC)

As a result, a "hot cargo edict" was issued on Nov. 2 by the B.C. Federation of Labour. It covers coal, petroleum coke and liquefied petroleum gas products at the Trigon terminal, under Trigon's control, or which have crossed or are about to cross the Local 523 picket line.

Local 505 president Keith Cociani said affiliated unions, including his, were asked to not handle those products. 

Trigon used replacement workers to do switch work for AltaGas, and the same company used by Trigon is now being used by Wolverine, he said. 

"And of course, the products that come from that work are being tested by our lab at SGS," Cociani said.

"All three of these disputes are connected." 

Catherine Garrett is a CBC News reporter based in Terrace, B.C., covering the province's northwest region. Born in Ontario and raised on Haida Gwaii, she has previously worked in Vancouver, Prince George, B.C., and Grande Prairie, Alta. She has received multiple awards for her work, including a Canadian Online Publishing Award. You can contact her at catherine.garrett@cbc.ca.