Quebec liquor store employees secure new collective agreement after 2-year fight

Members of a union representing more than 5,000 Quebec liquor store employees have secured a new collective agreement, ending two years of negotiations with the province

MONTREAL – Members of a union representing more than 5,000 Quebec liquor store employees have secured a new collective agreement, ending two years of negotiations with the province-owned company.

The union says more than 2,300 union members cast their votes on Friday, with 71 per cent in favour of adopting the agreement in principle reached by the two parties in November.

The union says worker salaries will receive an almost 20 per cent boost over the next six years and that employee schedules will now be more predictable.

Members of a union representing more than 5,000 Quebec liquor store employees have secured a new collective agreement, ending two years of negotiations with the province’s government-owned company. A customer leaves an SAQ outlet Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022 in Deux-Montagnes, Quebec. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

It also says 60 additional wine adviser positions will be created, bringing that number to 215 from 155 and that the agreement also improves insurance access for part-time workers.

Union president Lisa Courtemanche says the union dealt with an “uncompromising employer” but was able to obtain greater job security and quality of life for workers.

Employees at the Quebec Liquor Corp. spent a total of five days on strike in the last eight months.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec 7. 2024.