Employment standards · Labour relations
72-hour strike notice calculator.
A union must give notice of a strike, and an employer of a lockout, at least 72 hours ahead. Enter when notice was given and see the earliest the strike or lockout can lawfully begin, federally or in British Columbia.
Under the Canada Labour Code s.87.2 the earliest start is 72 hours after notice is given. In British Columbia the 72 hours run from the later of service on the other party and filing with the Labour Relations Board, the Board can direct a longer period, and a strike or lockout vote is only good for 3 months.
When was notice given?
Earliest legal start
Enter a notice date and time and press Calculate.
What this does and does not cover
This calculator only adds 72 hours (or a longer Board-directed period in BC) to the notice time you enter. It does not tell you a strike or lockout is lawful. Other preconditions also apply, for example under Canada Labour Code s.89 the notice to bargain, the conciliation process and a cooling-off period after the Minister's conciliation steps, plus compliance with s.87.2 and s.87.3; in BC a majority strike vote, filing the notice with the Board, and 48 hours after a mediation officer's report if one was appointed. Confirm the full sequence with the relevant labour board or a labour lawyer.
Federal rules
Canada Labour Code s.87.2(1) and (2): a union must give the employer, and an employer must give the union, notice at least seventy-two hours in advance indicating the date of the strike or lockout, with a copy to the Minister. Under s.87.2(3), if no strike or lockout starts on the notified date, a new notice of at least 72 hours is needed unless the parties agree otherwise in writing.
British Columbia rules
Labour Relations Code s.60(3) (strikes) and s.61(3) (lockouts): after a favourable vote, action may only begin during the 3 months immediately following the vote date, unless the parties agree otherwise in writing. Written notice must be served on the other party and filed with the Board, and 72 hours (or a longer period the Board directs under s.60(4) or s.61(4) to protect perishable property) must have passed from the time of both. If essential services are designated and action does not start when the period expires, a fresh 72-hour notice is required.
Sources, read 29 September 2026: Canada Labour Code s.87.2, s.89 and the BC Labour Relations Code, RSBC 1996 c.244.
Frequently asked questions
Do the 72 hours include weekends and holidays?
Both statutes count hours, not business days, so weekends and holidays are included. This calculator adds real elapsed hours, so a daylight-saving change inside the window is handled correctly.
Is 72 hours enough to strike legally?
Not by itself. It is one of several conditions. Bargaining, conciliation or mediation steps and, in BC, a strike vote must also be satisfied.
Does it work for lockouts?
Yes. Federally s.87.2(2) and in BC s.61(3) impose the same 72-hour minimum on employers.
Not legal advice
This is general date arithmetic, not legal advice, and it cannot confirm a strike or lockout is lawful. Other preconditions apply. This runs entirely in your browser: nothing you enter is transmitted, stored, or logged.