The union representing over 5,000 employees of Quebec’s liquor stores has voted overwhelmingly in favor of strike action, highlighting ongoing frustrations with protracted negotiations that have lasted a year.
This decision was announced today following a series of general assemblies where an impressive 89 percent of voting members supported a motion for a limited strike lasting up to 15 days.
The specifics of how these strike days will be utilized remain unclear, as the union, known as the Syndicat des employés de magasins et de bureaux de la Société des alcools du Québec, has not disclosed whether these days will be taken consecutively or at strategic intervals.
SAQ Workers (Credits: Nation World News)
Alexandre Bolduc, the union’s vice-president, emphasized that the core issues fueling this labor dispute include concerns over work-life balance and the health and safety conditions within the workplace.
He highlighted a notable rise in aggressive behavior from customers in urban store locations, a trend that has been exacerbated since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and pointed out the employees’ lack of adequate training to effectively manage these challenging situations.
In response to the potential strike action, the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) has assured the public that it is closely monitoring developments and has strategies in place to continue operations and service delivery should the strike proceed.
However, the SAQ has advised customers to stay informed about the status of store operations by checking online, acknowledging the possibility of store closures if the strike goes ahead.
