Latest News

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

MLCC drops discount for staff

Workers bemoan Grinch-like move

By: Steve Lambert

Posted: 11/28/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

Manitoba Liquor Control Commission workers feel the government agency is being a Grinch this Christmas by cancelling a long-standing tradition -- the annual employee sale of discount liquor deemed unfit to sell in stores.

It hasn't been publicized, but for more than 25 years every holiday season, workers have been able to buy bottles of wine, beer and spirits that could not be put on the shelves of the government-run stores. Some bottles might have damaged or missing labels, some were in cases with other bottles that broke or froze, and some were approaching their best-before date.

Related Items

Polls
- Was the MLCC right to end the annual employee sale of discount liquor?

The salvage sale was actually a way for the MLCC to recoup some money, according to one worker who spoke to The Canadian Press on condition of anonymity.

"As opposed to just pouring it down the drain and crushing the bottles, which costs a lot of money, this was all based on cost recovery," the worker said Tuesday.

The amount up for sale would vary every year and be allotted equally among all agency workers, from top managers to retail employees. In an average year, a worker might get access to a half-dozen bottles of wine, an equal amount of hard liquor and maybe 18 beers or coolers, the employee said.

Bottles of wine or liquor would go for $6 or $7, while the beer would usually sell for just under $1 per bottle.

That has changed this year, prompted by the liquor commission's recent merger with the Manitoba Lotteries Corp.

"The merger... presents many opportunities for business improvements and considerable challenges to co-ordinate and equalize each organization's distinct employee programs and traditions," reads a memo issued to employees Nov. 14 and obtained by The Canadian Press.

The memo was written by Roman Zubach, the liquor agency's chief operating officer.

"Due to a strong desire to explore new options relative to non-salable liquor products, the practice of holding an employee salvage sale will be discontinued effectively immediately."

The Manitoba Government and General Employees Union would not comment on the cancellation Tuesday, but did confirm it has filed a grievance in an attempt to revive the salvage sale.

The liquor commission would not say why the sale was cancelled, but called the decision part of the merger process.

The worker said the drive to cancel the discount booze sale appears to stem from a drive to level the playing field with employee benefits at the lotteries commission.

"They don't get discount lottery tickets."

-- The Canadian Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 28, 2012 A7

Fact Check

Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.

* Required

In which story did you find the error? *
Please post the headline of the story or the title of the video with the error.
What was the error? *
Please post exactly what was wrong with the story.
What should we have written?
Please indicate your source for the correct information.
Who else should we interview to improve this story?
Please include any contact information you may have.
Can we contact you in the future for advice on stories about this topic?
Yes

No
First Name: *
Last Name: *
E–mail Address: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Phone: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Colour:
Are you blue? If you can see this, leave it blank and get some CSS support.
Enter the words that you see: * This is to prevent our forms from being filled out automatically.
You have failed to correctly identify the words in the box above. Please try again.

More Latest News

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.