After 22 months of negotiation, the SAQ and its store and office employees are at an impasse. Shocked to see their employer refuse any discussion about the latest demands put forth by their negotiating committee, these employees are going on a third strike day today.
"We feel cheated," says Lisa Courtemanche. "For two years, we’ve been told about every demand that could have a financial impact that it would be discussed after the normative clauses were settled. But here we are. Except the employer is giving us its financial offer as a condition that we have to accept all the setbacks it demands while withdrawing each of our demands. It just doesn’t make sense."
Still marked by the elimination of dozens of regular positions at the beginning of the year, SAQ employees want to limit the use of precarious labor to ensure the smooth operation of the state-owned corporation.
"At the SAQ, nearly 70% of employees work part-time and on call," says François Enault, first vice-president of the CSN. "It takes 12 years to get a regular position. There isn’t a company in Quebec whose business model relies so much on the precariousness of its staff. It’s completely legitimate to want to ensure a minimum of stable positions and limit the use of part-time work."
While SAQ management wants to reduce collective health insurance benefits, the union wants to improve the conditions of access to these benefits. Currently, you have to wait seven years to be eligible for insurance coverage: employees are asking to reduce this period to five years and are calling for the introduction of dental coverage.
"The SAQ provides significant financial benefits to Quebec society," recalls Stéphanie Gratton, vice-president of the Fédération des employées et employés de services publics (FEESP–CSN). "It’s normal for employees to want to improve their working conditions, as is the case in any collective agreement negotiation."
Moreover, the union deplores that the SAQ’s wage offer, of the order of 16.5% over six years, is below the increases obtained by public sector employees last December.
The Syndicat des employé-es de magasins et de bureaux de la SAQ (SEMB-SAQ–CSN) represents the 5,500 store and office employees of the SAQ across Quebec. It is affiliated with the Fédération des employées et employés de services publics (FEESP–CSN), which has more than 425 affiliated unions representing 65,000 members working in the public and para-public service sector. With 330,000 members, the Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN) is present in all regions of Quebec and elsewhere in Canada.
SAQ Employees on Strike: What You Need to Know
The SAQ is a state-owned liquor corporation in Quebec, Canada. It is the only place where people can buy alcohol in the province. The SAQ employs about 5,000 people, most of whom are represented by the Syndicat des employé-es de magasins et de bureaux de la SAQ (SEMB-SAQ–CSN).
The SAQ employees are on strike because they are unhappy with the wage offer that the SAQ has made. They are asking for a 18% wage increase over three years, while the SAQ is only offering a 16.5% wage increase over six years. The union is also asking for improvements to the SAQ's health insurance plan and a reduction in the number of part-time employees. The union believes that the SAQ is trying to force its employees to accept lower wages and working conditions.
The strike is expected to last for at least three days, and it is possible that it could last longer. The SAQ has said that it is prepared to negotiate with the union, but it is unclear whether the two sides will be able to reach an agreement.
Impact on Customers
The strike is likely to have a significant impact on customers who rely on the SAQ for their alcohol purchases. Many SAQ stores are closed, and those that are open may have limited hours. Customers are being advised to stock up on their favourite alcoholic beverages before the strike begins.
Negotiations
The SAQ and the union have been negotiating a new collective agreement for several months. The two sides have been unable to agree on a number of key issues, including wages, benefits, and working conditions. The strike is a sign that the two sides are far apart in their negotiations. It is unclear how long the strike will last or whether the two sides will be able to reach an agreement.
The Future of the SAQ
The strike is a reminder that the SAQ is facing a number of challenges, including increasing competition from private retailers and the need to adapt to changing consumer habits. The outcome of the strike could have a significant impact on the future of the SAQ.
Conclusion: A Time for Change
The SAQ employees' strike is a critical moment for the company, highlighting the need for change. The current situation, characterized by low wages, limited benefits, and precarious working conditions, is unsustainable. The strike is an opportunity for the SAQ to take a hard look at its policies and ensure that its employees are treated fairly and compensated adequately. The SAQ must prioritize its employees and invest in a future that promotes stability and well-being for its workforce, ultimately benefitting customers and the entire Quebec community.
