Supplies of hard liquor and canned beverages have been low during the BCGEU strike. (Vernon Matters photo)

By Kevin Rothwell

backed-up orders

Alcohol and cannabis deliveries resume

Sep 2, 2022 | 2:30 PM

The B.C. Government Employees Union’s (BCGEU) stand-down of strike action at cannabis and liquor distribution centres means stock at local stores will start to arrive soon.

The union went on strike August 15 and implemented an overtime ban on August 22 to back demands for inflation matching wage protections.

The resumption of deliveries comes just in time for many retailers who were running short of items and in some cases had closed until more product arrived.

Beer and local wines were not impacted by the strike action, but canned alcohol beverages and hard liquor were starting to run low in some stores. Retailers posted notices alerting unaware consumers to the reasons behind the shortages.

Hard liquor and canned beverages have been in short supply during the BCGEU strike. (Vernon Matters photo)

Cycling from Okanagan to Van Isle

Police asking for help locating missing man

15h ago

Stage 2 Restrictions

Water restrictions enhanced for Greater Vernon due to storage concerns

16h ago

international security discussions

Local MP attending Defence and Aerospace Conference in Turkey

16h ago

An open letter on behalf of B.C. hospitality, tourism, accommodation, liquor and cannabis retail businesses was sent to Premier John Horgan and the president of the union expressing relief the parties were back at the bargaining table and urging a speedy resolution.

The letter stated that 20 per cent of businesses in the sector didn’t survive two-years of COVID-19 restrictions, and points to a quarter of a million jobs that rely on an consistent supply chain.

“We support the right of government employees to bargain collectively, but the decision by the BCGEU to target liquor distribution centres drags the province’s hospitality, tourism, liquor and cannabis industries into a dispute that has nothing to do with us, and deals yet another crushing blow when we’re only just getting back on our feet,” the letter stated.

The B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch sent an email to cannabis and liquor stores on Tuesday stating product deliveries would start up again.

It said backlogged orders placed before the strike started would be delivered first, and it would take a “considerable amount of time” for service levels to return to normal.

by Kevin Rothwell

View Comments