A strike has erupted at Cascadia liquor stores on Vancouver Island, according to the union representing the workers.
The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1518 announced on Tuesday that employees at Cascadia’s 20 liquor stores across the island have voted in favor of strike action.
The union says the strike is a result of ongoing negotiations with the employer over wages and working conditions.
“We have been in negotiations with Cascadia for several months now, and unfortunately, we have not been able to reach a fair agreement for our members,” said UFCW Local 1518 President Kim Novak.
The union is seeking a wage increase for its members, who have been working on the frontlines throughout the pandemic.
“Our members have been working tirelessly to keep these liquor stores running during the pandemic, and they deserve to be compensated fairly for their hard work,” Novak added.
The union also claims that Cascadia has been using temporary workers to fill shifts, which they say is a violation of the collective agreement.
“Cascadia has been using temporary workers to fill shifts, which is a clear violation of our collective agreement. This not only undermines job security for our members but also puts the safety of our communities at risk,” said Novak.
In response to the strike, Cascadia released a statement saying they are disappointed with the union’s decision.
“We are disappointed that the union has chosen to take this action, especially during these challenging times. We remain committed to reaching a fair and reasonable agreement with our employees,” the statement read.
Cascadia also assured customers that they will continue to operate their stores during the strike, with the help of temporary workers and management staff.
The strike is set to begin on May 6 at 7 a.m. and will affect all 20 Cascadia liquor stores on Vancouver Island.
The union says they are open to returning to the bargaining table to reach a fair agreement and avoid a strike. However, they are prepared to take further action if necessary.
“We are hopeful that Cascadia will come back to the table with a fair offer for our members. But if not, we are prepared to take further action to ensure our members are treated with the respect and fairness they deserve,” said Novak.
Customers are advised to check the Cascadia website for updates on store closures and hours of operation during the strike.
