(Montreal) Hundreds of striking Molson Canada workers have rejected an offer from the brewing company, extending a strike by more than 400 employees that is limiting supplies to bar owners.
Posted at 3:07 p.m.
The Teamsters Canada union says the local branch of the union last week voted 92.4% against a contract put forward by the 236-year-old brewery in Montreal.
Teamsters spokeswoman Catherine Cosgrove said wage concerns remained front and center amid soaring inflation, in addition to pension and work-time issues.
Molson Coors spokesman Francois Lefebvre said the rejected deal was its “final offer” after more than a week of negotiations following the March 25 strike. According to the employer, the strikers hold the bars “hostage” while the managers try to deliver beer themselves.
Renaud Poulin, president of the Corporation des Propriétaires de Bars, Brasseries et Tavernes du Québec, says many bars in some of the more remote areas of the province are running out of beer due to the strike, which has been going on for 73 days.
Quebec’s Administrative Labor Tribunal issued an interim order last month requiring Molson Canada to stop employing workers deemed scabs until a union complaint can be heard by the quasi-judicial body.