Prince George, B.C. – While members of the BCGEU have set up picket lines at three BC Liquor Distribution Centres in the province, the one day action is not likely to trickle down to privately owned liquor stores in Prince George.
Jordy Hoover owns 10 liquor stores in Prince George, and says he has enough stock on hand to easily carry through for the next couple of weeks. Under government regulation, private liquor store owners are not allowed to warehouse liquor or wine, but Hoover says the shelves are full. “We should be ok for another two weeks or so when it comes to liquor or wine” says Hoover, “ if a strike were to carry on for a couple of weeks, well, there may be some gaps in the stock.”
He says strike action won’t have any impact on supplies of beer as that is distributed by Brewers Distributor Ltd, which is owned by Molson and Labatt.
Members of BCGEU started a one day strike at 3 Liquor Distribution Branch facilities in the province to back their contract demands for a 3.5% wage hike in the first of a 2 year deal, and a cost of living allowance in the 2nd. The Province has countered with an offer of 2% in the first, and 1.5% in the second.
The union represents 27,000 provincial government workers.
The Union says it chose the Liquor Distribution Centres for the action because of the Government’s plans to privatize the system. The Province has just announced it has receivedreceived six proposals in response to the Negotiated Request for Proposals (NRFP) for the privatization of the Liquor Distribution Branch’s warehousing and distribution services.
The due date for proposals was Friday, June 29, 2012. Submissions were received from:
- ContainerWorld Forwarding Services Inc.
- Exel Canada Ltd.
- Hillebrand Westlink Inc.
- Kuehne + Nagel Ltd.
- Metro Supply Chain Group Inc.
- Schenker of Canada Ltd.
The proposals will be evaluated and a shortlist of up to three of the most qualified companies will be made. The short listed companies will then have an opportunity to refine their proposals.
While the Government says it believes the private sector can be more effective, efficient and lower overall costs to the government, a contract will only be entered into if the proposals meet those objectives.
A final decision in expected in October.
Comments
Whew! I’m glad there are options to buy our overpriced overtaxed liquor.
I wish a big box store Costco would be able to get into the game, but the government and the unions know they have a very good thing going so it likely would never happen.
I have to agree with Johnny. Private liquor stores were supposed to create competition and lower the price of liquor from unionized BCLC outlets. It never happened. Obviously when one person in Pr Geo owns 95% of the private stores, you are not going see any competition at all. And besides, liquor is way over taxed in this province. I heard you can buy a 24 pack of Bud in the States for $18.00, Over $40.00 here.
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