The Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) will make known its plan to ensure service in its branches if its employees go ahead with their threat of strike this week, its president and CEO, Jacques Farcy, said Tuesday.
Mr. Farcy affirmed that negotiations continued on Tuesday, while the 5,000 union members of the state company were preparing to strike on Wednesday and Thursday.
As soon as the strike is announced by its employees, the SAQ will communicate on its website which branches will be open as well as their hours, indicated the manager during a press briefing following the study of the company’s credits. in parliamentary committee.
“We definitely have a business continuity plan,” he said. So, depending on how things go, we want to maintain continuity of service in some branches and we will adapt the possible schedules. “.
Mr. Farcy said it is expected that opening hours will be reduced for reasons related to operations and security. He did not comment on the financial consequences that this walkout could have on the SAQ’s revenues. The impact could be limited if the strike days remain isolated, he said.
The current negotiations are still on non-salary issues and the financial aspect has not yet been addressed, indicated Mr. Farcy. An important issue to resolve remains the predictability of schedules for employees.
“We are active at the table to find the best possible solutions for our teams, for customers, for the SAQ and that is where we put our energy,” said Mr. Farcy.
Israeli wine
Mr. Farcy had to answer questions from Québec solidaire about his sales of wine which would be produced in the occupied territories of the West Bank while being labeled as wines from Israel.
The president and CEO stated that the SAQ is awaiting a report from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to find out whether the labeling is compliant.
At a press briefing, Mr. Farcy then clarified that unless there was a political decision, nothing would prevent the state company from selling wines produced in the occupied territories.
In 2022, after the invasion of Ukraine, Russian products were removed from SAQ shelves following a government decision.
“When political choices are made, the SAQ complies with these political choices. This was the case for Russian products,” said Mr. Farcy.