Liquor Mart employees go on strike amid contract negotiations

Workers with Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries (MBLL) have walked off the job for one day amid ongoing contract negotiations.

MBLL employees with the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union (MGEU) went on strike on Wednesday at 7 a.m., saying that the government refused to give them a fair and reasonable deal. The strike action begins with a one-day, province-wide walkout.

“We’re looking for fairness, for respect,” said MGEU president Kyle Ross.

“These workers worked through the pandemic. These workers worked through all the crime in the stores and they were deemed heroes and critical to Manitoba during the pandemic and they’re not seeing the fruition from that work.”

The walkout involves all workers from public Liquor Marts, including those at the liquor distribution centre and supporting business operations.

According to the MGEU, the workers have been without a collective agreement for more than year. The union added the employees are looking for a fair deal and the yearly two per cent wage increase offered in the final draft agreement is not realistic.

“Our last resort is a strike. It’s not a place where we want to be,” Ross said.

“None of these workers want to be on this strike line. They feel they have to be on this strike line.”

MBLL said it has a contingency plan in place. In a statement on its website, the Crown corporation said it continues to bargain in good faith and has an upcoming bargaining date scheduled on Friday.

“Collective bargaining sets a foundation for workplace relations. It also provides opportunities for the employer and employees to make mutually beneficial improvements to employment terms,” MBLL said.

“We recognize that uncertainty during bargaining can impact our relationships with colleagues, customers, and business partners and so we remain committed to coming to a timely resolution at the bargaining table.”

On Wednesday evening, the union announced members working at the Liquor Distribution Centre will remain on strike Thursday. All members will also be refusing all overtime until further notice.

Further actions will be announced if a deal cannot be reached.

The MGEU represents about 1,400 MBLL employees.

OPEN LIQUOR MARTS

Despite Wednesday’s walkout, the following Liquor Marts remain open:

1. Brandon South Liquor Mart at 1645 18th St. in Brandon
2. Crestview Liquor Mart at Unit 170-3393 Portage Ave. in Winnipeg
3. Eastwinds Liquor Mart at #23-1530 Regent Ave. in Winnipeg
4. Garden City Liquor Mart at #2-915 Leila Ave. in Winnipeg
5. Grant Park Liquor Mart at 1120 Grant Ave. in Winnipeg
6. Hargrave & Ellice Liquor Mart at 325 Ellice Ave. in Winnipeg
7. St. Vital Liquor Mart at #5-827 Dakota Ave. in Winnipeg

 The hours at these locations have been reduced to 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.