More than 1,200 workers at Teck Resources’ Highland Valley Copper mine in British Columbia went on strike Saturday, October 24, after talks on a new collective agreement failed. The United Steelworkers (USW) Local 7619, which represents the workers, served 72-hour strike notice on October 21.
The previous labor contract expired on September 30, 2026. The dispute centers on wages, pensions and concerns about attracting and retaining skilled workers. The union said it did everything possible to avert a labor dispute but was dissatisfied with the company’s profit-sharing proposals.
Highland Valley is Canada’s largest open-pit copper mine. It is projected to produce 115,000 to 135,000 metric tons this year. Teck said it has contingency plans to maintain safety and environmental management during the work stoppage.