Some 5,000 unionized workers at the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) are on strike Wednesday, hoping to reach an agreement with the employer after more than a year of negotiations.
Their union is demanding more full-time positions and improved access to benefits for employees. The two strike days are the first of a 15-day strike mandate by union members.
Unless there is a breakthrough, the strike is expected to continue Thursday.
Earlier this week, management had said a plan will be in place to maintain some access to SAQ outlets. It is not yet clear how the strike will affect store hours and availability.
Although no picketing is expected today, the union will be holding a rally and news conference at 10:45 a.m. ET. at Montreal’s Place des Festivals.
Similar events are planned in Quebec City, Trois-Rivières, Gatineau, Rouyn-Noranda, Saguenay and Sainte-Thérèse.
In a news release published Monday, Lisa Courtemanche, president of SEMB-SAQ-CSN, decried the fact that about 70 per cent of the Crown corporation’s employees work part-time or are on call.
She said the conditions are unacceptable for employees “who never know how many hours they will be able to work during the next payroll.”
Union members are also demanding faster access to the group insurance plan. Even if they work full weeks, employees currently have to wait up to seven years before being eligible for insurance, according to the news release.