Quebec’s liquor corporation’s 5,500 unionized employees walked off the job Tuesday morning just after 10 a.m., affecting 404 Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) outlets across the province.
In June, the union representing the employees voted 91 per cent in favour of holding six strike days.
Tuesday’s strike comes after two-days of failed negotiations late last week.
“It’s as if the employer isn’t taking us seriously,” said union president Katia Lelièvre in a written statement.
READ MORE: SAQ workers turn wine labels around as pressure tactic
While most outlets are closed, some locations are being kept open by managers.
Sticking points include weekend work hours and conditions of part-time employees.
“Today, our message is clear, we will not accept any decline in our working conditions,” Lelièvre said.
READ MORE: SAQ workers vote in favour of six strike days
Nathalie Arguin, president of the Federation of public service employees (FEESP-CSN), argues that the SAQ’s demands would jeopardize already precarious jobs.
“With 70 per cent of its employees working part-time and an average of 12 years required to obtain a permanent position,the SAQ has nothing to boast about,” she said.
Several bargaining sessions are planned over the next few weeks, including one later in the day Tuesday.
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