Court refuses to block Teamsters pickets at Sobeys’ Calgary stores
A Calgary judge has dismissed an attempt by Sobeys Capital Inc. to stop striking Teamsters employees from picketing at its stores in Calgary. The workers are based at Sobeys’ Rocky View County distribution hub and its refrigerated warehouse in southeast Calgary.
In a written decision released in November, Justice Feasby of the Court of King’s Bench ruled against Sobeys’ request to suspend an Alberta Labour Relations Board decision. That ruling allows Teamsters Local 987 to continue picketing at Sobeys-owned locations during the ongoing strike and lockout affecting 251 warehouse and delivery employees.
The Alberta Labour Relations Board decision, identified as 2025 ALRB 126 and dated October 15, determined that Sobeys-owned outlets in Calgary constitute “places of work” for the striking and locked-out employees. The ruling permits picketing at company-owned stores but not at franchised locations.
Author’s Summary
The court upheld union picketing rights at Sobeys-owned Calgary stores, confirming they qualify as legitimate workplaces amid the ongoing strike and lockout.