BCGEU Strike FAQs

Can I still place an order while the strike continues?

As of 3:30 pm on August 17, the Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) Wholesale has shut down webstore and will not be accepting new orders until after the strike ends. All pending orders placed before strike action began including orders placed before webstore was shut down) will be assembled and shipped when the strike ends and LDB distribution operations resume. We will have further details on how these orders will be prioritized when the strike ends.

Click here to see an update from LDB Wholesale.

Can LDB warehouse workers be deemed an essential service so we can receive our orders?

During the pandemic, government used extraordinary emergency powers and the COVID-19 Related Measures Act to declare a long list of essential services, including private liquor stores and liquor distribution. Those orders, and that legislation, have since expired. 

To declare liquor distribution an essential service now would require either new legislation or a ruling from the Labour Relations Board, which can designate services as essential (and/or set minimum staffing levels) in response to a labour dispute. 

Given that the strike has only been one day so far, both of these options are unlikely at this time. If the strike continues for an extended time and causes quantifiable economic damage, this will become a more likely option.

We will continue discussing this option with government.

Can Brewers Distributed Ltd (BDL) deliver Ready-to-Drink (RTD) products? Can a local RTD producer direct deliver their own RTD products?

No. As you are aware, the only option for ordering RTD products is through the LDB, meaning there is no possibility of re-stocking these high-demand products until the strike ends.

RTDs will not be delivered through BDL or direct delivery at this time. Helping you restock RTDs is one of our highest priorities and we are asking for special permission to allow other delivery options.

Can a Licensee Retail Store (LRS) purchase from a BC Liquor Store?

No. The LRS Terms and Conditions states: “You may only purchase liquor as a licensee for the purpose of selling and/or serving it under your licence. You must purchase your liquor directly from the Liquor Distribution Branch warehouse, from a designated Liquor Distribution Branch store, or another source authorized in writing by the general manager of the Liquor Distribution Branch.” The key part being the BC Liquor Store would have to be “designated,” which is the exception not the rule. 

Given that BC Liquor Stores have also had their supply from LDB Wholesale cut off, you should not expect government to permit LRSs to purchase from government stores at this time.

Will the strike force government to allow licensee-to-licensee sales?

We are in talks with government every day and exploring every possible contingency plan. However, government recently declined to move forward with licensee-to-licencee sales, so it is unlikely this will change now. 

Additionally, private liquor stores will start to see depleted inventory levels by the end of this week. If licensee-to-licensee sales are allowed, there will be extremely limited inventory available for Liquor Primaries (LP) and Food Primaries (FP) to purchase.

Will industry be compensated for loss of business due to strike action?

Government is not currently considering compensation for affected businesses. Before we can seek compensation, we will need to gather evidence that the strike has caused financial harm to your business. As the strike continues, please email jeff@ablebc.ca to let us know the financial impact of the strike on your businesses.

Did government stores have advance notice of the strike?

Despite rumours, we’ve seen no evidence that BC Liquor Stores were given advance notice to stock up on products. Like the private industry, government stores were aware of the possibility of a strike and in some cases chose to stock up on inventory.

However, if you have evidence of this happening, please let us know by emailing jeff@ablebc.ca.

Can we pick up our own order from an LDB warehouse?

No, licensees will not be permitted to pick up their own orders. With the Distribution Centres closed, there are no workers to pick and assemble orders and licensees do not have proper safety training or equipment to pick products from distribution centre shelves.

Can Containerworld deliver import products currently in their warehouses?

Containerworld is able to deliver imported beer directly, but they are not able to deliver imported wine or spirits at this time. We will continue to explore this as a possible option and will provide updates as we are able.

Can we get shipments from Alberta? 

Government has no plans to pull product or distribution services from Alberta at this time.

Will the order I placed, but that wasn't shipped before 3:30 pm on August 15, be assembled and shipped when the strike is over?

Yes, all orders currently in the system will be assembled and shipped as soon as the strike ends and the distribution centres come back online. LDB Wholesale is no longer accepting new orders and has temporarily shut down webstore. 

How will LDB prioritize fulfilling orders placed during the strike?

We will have more details on this after the strike ends.