Government urged to act as BCGEU strike disrupts liquor supply, threatens hospitality industry

All BC Liquor and Cannabis stores are now on strike, triggering a plea from restaurants and bars for the province and BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) to resume negotiations.

The latest strike escalation announced by the BCGEU on Wednesday also includes all Service BC workers, which are employed under the Ministry of Citizens’ Services, and Ministry of Labour workers in Victoria.

Workers from liquor distribution branches and stores began walking off the job in September.

Now that the strike has surpassed the one month mark, 431 worksites and more than 25,000 workers are now on strike across the province.

“We don’t take this escalation lightly, and we know that disruptions to services are difficult for the public—we regret the impact this is having on communities,” said Paul Finch, BCGEU president.

“But after months of patience, our members have been left with no alternative. The government has a choice: they can sit down and bargain with us—or they can continue to let this disruption escalate.”

The two sides couldn’t reach an agreement and talks broke down on Sept. 29.

Last month, the union sought an increase of 4% in the first year and 4.25% in the second. The province brought forward an increase of 3.5%.

Despite the BCGEU lowering their offer to 4% each year over two years, for a total of 8%, the province returned to the bargaining table in late September with an offer of a 2% increase per year over two years, totalling 4%.

“This is not just about wages—this is about investing in the services people across this province depend on,” Finch said in a news release. “We’re ready to talk. We've been ready. The ball is in their court.”

In a separate statement, Restaurants Canada called on both the union and province to return to the negotiating table and reach an agreement.

Restaurants Canada said restaurants and bars across BC are running out of liquor inventory due to the shuttered liquor distribution centres and stores.

The not-for-profit association said if an agreement can’t be reached this week, the BC government should allow restaurants and bars to purchase liquor from private liquor stores so they can continue serving their customers.

“With 41% of restaurants operating at a loss or just breaking even, taking away their ability to serve alcohol, while consumers can still purchase it for home consumption, may push some to the brink of closure,” said Mark von Schellwitz, vice-president for Restaurants Canada’s western branch.

“This threatens not just the viability of the foodservice industry in BC, but also the jobs of the 183,000 British Columbians it employs, many of whom are youth.”

Before all BC Liquor Stores closed, establishments were being limited to three items per SKU per day. Now with the closure of more BC Liquor Stores, Restaurants Canada said owners and workers will be left scrambling to secure products.

“If the BC government can’t find a solution to allow foodservice businesses to purchase alcohol, either from BC Liquor or from private liquor stores, it needs to consider back to work legislation,” the statement said.