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Strike triggers liquor rationing at government-run stores

Ongoing BCGEU job action impacting distribution centres

Lineups were long at BC Liquor Stores Friday morning in Kelowna as sales rationing was put in place due to ongoing job action affecting liquor distribution centres.

The executive director of the Alliance of Beverage Licensees (ABLE BC) said the government imposed limits took effect at 9 a.m. and will ration the quantity of alcohol that customers, including pubs, bars, restaurants, and the public, may purchase in a single transaction.

Jeff Guignard, whose ABLE BC group also speaks for bars, pubs, and retail cannabis outlets, said no more than three of any individual item may be purchased per day at B.C. Liquor Stores, although beer purchases are exempt.

Guignard said provincial officials informed his organization the restrictions will remain in place as long as pickets surround B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch wholesale and distribution centres in Delta, Richmond, Kamloops and Victoria.

The 33,000 members of the B.C. General Employees Union (BCGEU) launched limited job action Monday to back contract demands that include wage protection against inflation.

The B.C. government had not responded to a request for comment before the alliance made its announcement about the restrictions.

"The only reason BC Liquor Stores are rationing quantities is because of the BCGEU strike, which is shutting down B.C.’s vital liquor distribution warehouses," Guignard said in a statement.

The strike by government workers is disrupting the entire restaurant and bar industry as it struggles to recover from the effects of the pandemic, the statement read.

Private liquor stores don't intend to impose similar limits on purchases, said Guignard, and he urged both sides to resume negotiations to settle the dispute.

-With files from The Canadian Press

Published 2022-08-19 by Kelowna10 Staff

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