'This is not fair': Hospitality industry urges BCGEU to end strike action, lift alcohol restriction
Shoppers at government-run British Columbia liquor stores will see purchase limits starting Friday amid a major union's ongoing job action.
The B.C. Alliance of Beverage Licensees, or ABLE BC, says it was told by the province that government-owned BC Liquor Stores will limit how much customers can buy in one transaction. Those limits, the group says, will impact pubs, bars and restaurants too.
B.C.'s Liquor Distribution Branch confirmed the limits will prohibit customers from purchasing more than three of an individual item per day.
"We are conscious of growing supply constraints and want to do what we can to ensure equal access to product for all customers during the (B.C. General Employees Union) job action," a statement from the LDB said.
"The implementation of modest quantity limits is intended to support the availability of liquor products for the hospitality industry, particularly smaller businesses, and retail customers while the LDB’s distribution centres continue to be impacted by job action."
Four-packs and six-packs of products count as one unit. Only beer will be exempt, and the restrictions are expected to be in place until distribution centres resume their operations.“They’re putting a stranglehold on 40 per cent of the supplies of alcohol that goes through this province. So this is not fair,” said Jeff Guignard, executive director of ABLE BC.
The BCGEU first handed the province 72 hours' strike notice Friday after months of bargaining. Picketing began Monday afternoon at four BCL distribution centres: in Delta, Kamloops, Richmond and Victoria.
Guignard said private liquor stores won't be forced to introduce limits. However, Legacy Liquor Store implemented new limits Friday, including 12 bottles of wine and 6 bottles of spirits per day.
Legacy Liquor Store general manager Kieran Baldwin says some items won’t last long.
“We might not make it a week,” said Baldwin, referring to top sellers including White Claw.
“We get three deliveries a week and we haven’t had three deliveries this week, so you can imagine it’s going to go pretty fast.”
Allura Fergie, Co-owner of Fets Whisky Kitchen, says some of her items could be gone by next week.
“We just got over the pandemic and our industry just seems to get the brunt of everything,” said Fergie.
"This needs to stop before it gets worse,” said Guignard. "We urge both sides to get back to the negotiation table immediately before this strike does further damage to B.C.'s economy."
“The tool in the toolbox that workers have in terms of leverage is withdrawing their labour,” said Stephanie Smith, president of the BCGEU. “That’s a tool we’re currently leveraging.”
CTV News reached out to the Ministry of Finance for a comment on the progress of negotiations but did not receive a response before deadline.
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Regan Hasegawa
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
BREAKING Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are moving on to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.