Striking Manitoba liquor workers reach tentative deal By: Malak Abas Posted: 6:37 PM CDT Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023

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This article was published 23/08/2023 (1112 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Workers at Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries have reached a tentative deal to end a bitter strike that has curbed access to alcohol at government-run stores across the province since mid-July.

“It’s good that we finally got to a fair place, I think our members will be relieved to go back to work, and I think Manitobans will be relieved that the strike is over,” said Kyle Ross, president of the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union, after the agreement was announced Wednesday afternoon.

“It never had to come to this.”

The union for 1,400 workers and negotiators with the Crown corporation had returned to the bargaining table Tuesday and Wednesday. The wage offer hadn’t changed since rotating strike action began July 19.

MGEU refused to share details of the deal — which still has to be ratified by workers — but said it has walked away with an agreement that “helps all liquor workers.”

Members must vote 50 per cent plus one in favour of ratifying the agreement for the strike to end. Details of the agreement will be presented to employees at two information meetings this week, with voting to take place between noon Thursday and noon Sunday. Results of the vote will be released Sunday afternoon.

“I can’t speak for (membership). I think it’s a fair offer,” Ross said. “I think there’s always people (who) always want more, and some people will be very content.”

“I think it’s a fair offer… I think there’s always people (who) always want more, and some people will be very content.”–Kyle Ross

A short time later, MLL released a statement that outlined the deal.

“The tentative agreement is a four-year contract, with compounding general wage increases every year, retroactive to March 25, 2022,” it wrote.

“Also included are pay-scale adjustments, other targeted shift premiums and allowances, benefit enhancements, and a one-time lump-sum payment.”

It acknowledged reaching the agreement was a tough slog: “We recognize that this intensive process has not been easy for anyone. We thank MGEU leadership and its bargaining committee as we all worked together through conciliation to address the issues and find a new, fair agreement for employees.”

The statement didn’t reveal when Liquor Marts would reopen upon ratification of the agreement. MGEU said picket lines will come down until voting is completed.

Ross said the MGEU wouldn’t stand in the way of quickly reopening stores should the strike end.

Until Wednesday, the Crown corporation had offered two per cent wage increases over four years while the union sought wage increases of 3.3 per cent in 2023 and 3.6 per cent in both 2024 and 2025.

Managers had manned the few Liquor Marts that were opened and replacement workers were hired to move products out of the massive distribution centre on King Edward Street.

The job action escalated into a full walkout two weeks ago and cut off the flow of booze to businesses so severely that key locations were designated solely for commercial customers.

Jeffrey Agatep co-owns Bird’s Hill Store, an East St. Paul staple for nearly 40 years.

For the last eight days, he’s repeatedly driven a U-Haul truck to the Eastwinds Liquor Mart on Regent Avenue, which is designated for business owners, lined up and hauled alcohol back to his store north of the city.

Customers are limited to a certain amount each visit, so he would load up his truck and get back in line to pick up more.

Agatep said by the time the store closes at 10 p.m. most nights, most of the booze he bough earlier that day has been sold.

He estimates he buys from $17,000 to $30,000 in product daily.

“I can’t keep up with the demand. I can’t,” he said while stocking the truck Wednesday afternoon. “We fill this up, and then we go back. If they were open later, I’d be going all day.”

He notes some business owners have to drive four-hour round trips every day just to stock their shelves.

For a while, stock was so limited that, as Agatep puts it, as soon as he put down bottles, customers would follow him to grab whatever he had. Sales were up 300 per cent last week.

“It is unique, but we’re taking advantage of the situation given to us right now. I’m not complaining, a lot of my cohorts, all the vendors are in the same position as us. They’re not complaining, either,” he said.

“I can’t keep up with the demand. I can’t…”–Jeffrey Agatep

He’s one of many who have found a way to adapt to the labour strife.

In Garden City, the Leila Avenue Liquor Mart was quiet at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday. Fifteen minutes later, a dozen people waited to get in.

Customers who are waiting in line discuss the most recent bargaining updates, while a Liquor Mart employee checks I.D.s using a handheld scanner.

Clay Eccles was the first in line. The retiree said he has lots of time. He said he supports the workers who are picketing on the nearby sidewalk.

“I have no problem waiting at all … I don’t like to see it happen, but it’s the world we live in, negotiations are negotiations,” he said.

A former federal employee who had gone on strike several times during his career, said he was following negotiations closely.

“I didn’t realize they were so grossly underpaid (by the) Crown corporation,” he said.

malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca