Court Upholds Teamsters’ Right to Picket Sobeys Stores in Calgary
A Calgary judge has declined Sobeys Capital Inc.’s request to prohibit picketing by striking Teamsters employees at Calgary stores. The dispute involves workers at Sobeys’ distribution hub in Rocky View County and a refrigerated warehouse in southeast Calgary.
Justice Feasby of the Court of King’s Bench issued a written decision on November 7, 2025, refusing to stay a ruling by the Alberta Labour Relations Board (ALRB). The ALRB had allowed Teamsters Local 987 to continue picketing Sobeys-owned locations amid an ongoing strike and lockout affecting 251 warehouse and delivery workers.
Labour Board’s Key Decision
The judgement centers on the ALRB’s October 15, 2025 decision (2025 ALRB 126), which recognized the Calgary stores as valid “places of work” for the employees involved in the strike and lockout. This classification permits picketing at company-owned stores but excludes franchised outlets from such activities.
“The Calgary outlets were legitimate ‘places of work’ for the striking and locked-out employees, allowing picketing at company-owned sites but not at franchised ones.”
Ongoing Labour Dispute
- Strike and lockout affect 251 warehouse and delivery employees
- Teamsters Local 987 actively picketing company-owned Sobeys locations in Calgary
- Franchised Sobeys stores are excluded from picketing rights under the ruling
This ruling ensures that Teamsters maintain their picketing rights at key company sites, reinforcing labour board authority while Sobeys continues negotiations.
Summary: The court upheld the labour board’s decision, allowing striking Teamsters to picket Sobeys’ Calgary stores classified as legitimate workplaces, maintaining pressure in the ongoing labour dispute.
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