The warehouse union of the Société des alcools du Québec and management will return to the negotiating table on Wednesday, and without a walkout.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), affiliated with the FTQ, made the announcement on Tuesday, the day after its members rejected the tentative agreement reached with the SAQ regarding the renewal of the collective agreement. .
The 800 employees concerned work in the SAQ’s warehouses and are responsible in particular for supplying branches and restaurants.
The union has refused to grant an interview for the moment. He prefers to concentrate on the negotiation which will resume. It will start again without there being any new days of strike, for the moment.
The local CUPE, affiliated with the FTQ, had nevertheless reached an agreement in principle with the management of the SAQ on November 29. But it was rejected by the members in a proportion of 86%, and this, even if the union recommended its acceptance.
Difficulties in hiring
The union members had only walked out for a few days, but the repercussions were quickly felt on the shelves of the branches, which had been thinning out. The strike had been suspended with the resumption of talks, until there was this agreement in principle.
One of the issues at the heart of the dispute was the entry salary. CUPE advisor to the case, Michel Gratton, had noted in an interview that some of its members only receive $ 17 an hour at the first level. He also mentioned the many overtime hours and health and safety issues.
The president and CEO of the SAQ, Catherine Dagenais, agreed in an interview with 98.5 FM. “We had difficulties hiring at the warehouse level in the past year. This is one of the elements that was part of the agreement. Our starting salaries were a bit low, less competitive. This is something that we had settled in the agreement in principle, ”she stressed.
However, she warns customers to expect shelves that are not fully stocked. “There are going to be holes in them by Christmas. There will still be some variety. “
She is committed to making every effort to replenish branch shelves and restock restaurants as quickly as possible.