Liquor Industry Update: August 18, 2022
Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,
Heres’ what you’ll find in today’s update:
A Message from Executive Director Jeff Guignard About the BCGEU Strike
BCGEU Strike FAQs
Addressing False Allegations of LDB Stockpiling Cannabis
Stock Out Signage
Local Producers
ABLE BC Meets with Surrey-Centre MP Randeep Sarai
ABLE BC Delivery and Logistics Survey
Seeking Input on Making National Day of Truth & Reconciliation a Provincial Stat Holiday
Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinars
The Quarterly Pour Fall Issue is Out Now!
Out and About with ABLE BC!
Join ABLE BC Today!
Find all past updates here.
A Message from Executive Director Jeff Guignard About the BCGEU Strike
This Monday, British Columbia’s entire $15 billion liquor and cannabis industries were thrown into disarray when the British Columbia BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU) commenced strike action outside of four critical Liquor Distribution Branch warehouses.
Like you, we believe this situation is both unfair and irresponsible. This dispute is between the BCGEU and government; it has nothing to do with you, your business, or our industry.
These warehouses supply about 40 per cent of all alcohol in BC and are the only source for imported alcohol products and “ready-to-drink” beverages such as Hey Y’all, NÜTRL, Nude, Gin Smash, and other canned spirit-based beverages. They are also the only source of legal regulated cannabis for most of BC’s cannabis retailers.
While you may still source products from Brewers Distributed Ltd (BDL) and BC’s craft producers (see the list below), some of you are already reporting stock-outs on popular items. We know some of you are also contemplating layoffs as early as next week.
Since Monday, I have been blunt in media—and in conversations with both government and the BCGEU—that this strike is having an immediate, devastating impact on your businesses. We are encouraging both sides to return to the negotiation table immediately to avoid any further damage to our industry. Prolonging this strike even another week risks serious damage to an industry still recovering from losses incurred during the pandemic.
We continue to meet with government every day to seek answers to your questions (see our FAQ below), press for logical policy changes that will protect the integrity of our supply chain, and to offer real-time feedback on the damage this strike is causing to your businesses and our industry. We will continue to provide regular updates until this strike is resolved.
In the meantime, please feel free to reach out to me directly at jeff@ablebc.ca to let me know how this strike is impacting your business.
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.
Addressing False Allegations of LDB Stockpiling Cannabis
Yesterday, the BCGEU inaccurately alleged that the LDB had “stockpiled product through a third party, Pacific Coast Distribution Ltd.” This is not true. Regrettably, this false information was also reported in news media.
We have confirmed directly with government, the LDB, and Pacific Coast Distribution that they do not have any cannabis or liquor products stored at any of their facilities. Reports alleging otherwise are unequivocally false.
Pacific Coast Distribution is a third-party carrier contracted by the LDB to deliver products to licensees. In the normal performance of their contracted duties, Pacific Coast collected products from the Delta Distribution Centre on Monday, August 15, prior to strike action commencing, and completed deliveries of those products on Tuesday, August 16. At no time did any of its workers cross picket lines or stockpile products for future deliveries.
Since the BCGEU released their statement, workers at Pacific Coast have been harassed online, via social media, and via telephone. This is clearly unacceptable.
We are deeply disappointed in these actions and hope the BCGEU will issue a public apology for the harm they have caused this small business.
For more information, please see this memo from Pacific Coast.
Stock Out Signage
As the BCGEU strike continues, many of our members are starting to see product stock outs. These stock outs are going to get worse and we expect to see bare shelves by the weekend.
To help manage customer expectations, we have created signage for your front door and shelves that explain your stock outs.
Click here for a free pdf download of front door signage, and here for a free pdf download of shelf talkers.
You can find these signs and more available for free in our online store.
Local Producers
While the BCGEU strike is preventing delivery of import products from the LDB, local BC producers are ready to accept and fulfill your orders. We encourage you to explore alternative products produced locally and delivered direct.
New Wave Wine Society (representing cideries, fruit, and mead wine)
List of wineries (broken down by region)
List of cideries (broken down by region)
ABLE BC Meets with Surrey-Centre MP Randeep Sarai
Last Sunday, ABLE’s Executive Director Jeff Guignard met with federal Member of Parliament Randeep Sarai (Surrey-Centre) and Kamloops City Councillor Bill Sarai to discuss amending Canada's economic immigration policies to help combat BC's labour shortage crisis.
Earlier this year, the House of Commons passed MP Sarai's motion, M-44, which calls on the federal government to implement: "a comprehensive plan to expand the economic immigration stream to allow workers of all skill levels to meet the full range of labour needs and pathways to permanent residency for temporary foreign workers, including international students, with significant Canadian work experience in sectors with persistent labour shortages."
You can read the full text of M-44 here.
ABLE BC is drafting a letter to send to House of Commons showing our support of MP Sarai's motion.
Additionally, ABLE BC has requested that government increase the number of hours international students studying full-time in Canada may work while studying. Currently, international students may work up to 20 hours per week. ABLE BC, and several of our industry association partners such as the BC Hotel Association, have requested this be increased to up to 30 hours.
ABLE BC Delivery and Logistics Survey
As a reminder, we are seeking new solutions to our industry’s ongoing issues with ordering and delivery of liquor products. We are currently exploring a new buyABLE program to push the BC liquor industry forward and provide increased value for our members. Thank you to those of you who have already reached out to discuss how you can support this project.
We have partnered with PivoHub to build a streamlined, 24/7, business-to-business digital marketplace that will ease the ordering and delivery of liquor products.
As part of our planning and development, we have put together this survey to gain feedback from industry on delivery and logistics experiences across businesses in BC.
Click here to take the survey.
Seeking Input on Making National Day of Truth & Reconciliation a Provincial Stat Holiday
The Province is seeking input from BC employers and employees on whether the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation (September 30) should be designated a provincial statutory holiday under the Employment Standards Act, starting in 2023.
Designating this day as a provincial statutory holiday would entitle BC employees covered by the Employment Standards Act to an employer-paid day off or to be paid at premium rates if they are required to work on that day.
Submit feedback here by September 21, 2022.
Click here to learn more.
Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinars
Managing Remote & Hybrid Workforces Webinar
On August 23, go2HR and Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) invite you to learn more about managing remote and hybrid workforces in this one-hour webinar presented by go2HR’s Manager of Industry Human Resources, Ginger Brunner.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a significant shift in how we work, and more and more workplaces are making the switch from in-person to remote and hybrid settings. These work options may not be for everyone and there are several HR, mental health, health & safety, and legal impacts that should be considered.
Through this webinar, you can discover more about these work options and find out whether they are a good fit for your organization.
By joining, webinar participants will learn about:
Pros and cons of remote and hybrid workforces,
Useful tips for managing remote and hybrid teams,
Relevant HR policies and procedures,
Important health & safety considerations,
Resources for mental health and wellness support for remote and hybrid employees.
Date: August 23, 2022
Time: 1:30 pm
BC Hospitality Foundation Victoria Golf Tournament
Sign up for BCHF’s Victoria golf tournament at Olympic View Golf Course! The tournament takes place on Tuesday, August 23rd, and offers a full day of food, drink, and enjoyment. Players partake of bites and beverages at many holes, there are tee prizes and putting contests, and lunch and dinner are included.
This event is a great way to connect with old friends or to expand your network, as it brings together many members of the local hospitality community. It’s been two long years: let’s get our industry together to swing together!
Date: August 23, 2022
Time: 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Location: Olympic View Golf Course, 643 Latoria Rd, Victoria
Half-Corked Marathon
Calling all runners and wine lovers! Organizers of the Half-Corked Marathon have just released the last few tickets. 100 special tickets to the 2022 Half Corked Marathon are now available.
Dates: September 9th and 10th.
The route has been updated this year to include more winery stations than ever before, both along both the Golden Mile Bench and the Black Sage Road, so that participants can sip and savour delicious wines from the region as they run through the vineyards and along the Okanagan River.
Click here to purchase tickets.
The Quarterly Pour Fall Issue is Out Now!
Download your copy of The Quarterly Pour fall issue now
Feature articles in this issue:
ABLE BC Industry Update from Executive Director Jeff Guignard
ABLE BC Membership Report from Manager of Membership and Communication Ann Brydle
Innovative Promotions: How to get creative with promotions for your Pub or Liquor Store
It's Whisky Season! How to serve, sell and enjoy this aged grain spirit this fall
ABLE BC Member Feature: Roland's Pub
Keeping Track of the Bottom Line: Tools and Trends for your Business
Understanding Bill 10: Single Step Union Certification and Other Key Labour Code Changes
Download the full issue here.
Discounted Advertising
ABLE BC Associate Members receive a 10% discount off print and digital advertising
Call Joyce Hayne at 1-800-667-0955 or email joyce@emcmarketing.com to discuss strategies to generate new business.
The Quarterly Pour magazine is distributed quarterly to 670 private liquor stores, 220 rural liquor stores and 1860 pubs and bars across BC. This business publication is the official magazine of BC's Alliance of Beverage Licensees.
See the annual editorial calendar and rates in the 2022 media kit.
Out and About with ABLE BC!
The ABLE BC team is working hard to keep you informed during the BCGEU strike. We are meeting with government officials and industry partners every day to discuss options, contingency plans, and to get you the answers you need to run your businesses.
Our Executive Director, Jeff Guignard, has also been speaking with media.
CTV News Vancouver: Strike Action: B.C.’s largest public sector union pickets liquor store warehouses
CKPG Today: BCGEU strikes start in select locations around province
CTV News Vancouver: Job action could mean empty shelves at B.C. liquor and cannabis stores by the weekend
Global News: BCGEU announces targeted job action, picket lines as strike notice expires
Mornings with Simi, 980 CKNW: The Full Show August 15
CFAX 1070 Mornings with Al Ferraby: Will the BCGEU Strike Have an Effect on Consumers?
Phare Ouest with Alexandre Lepoutre: Catch-up for Wednesday August 17, 2022
AM 1150 Kelowna: The Early Edition with Phil Johnson
Join ABLE BC Today!
ABLE BC is the leading liquor advocacy organization in the province. We have a proven track record of success fighting for the interests of Liquor Primary and Licensee Retail Store businesses. We are dedicated to helping our industry come out of the pandemic stronger than ever!
We can’t do our work without the support of our members. ABLE is a non-profit organization and we depend on membership fees to continue to lobby and fight for your needs.
ABLE BC members have access to several benefit programs that offer exclusive discounts and are designed to help your business thrive. In addition to our benefit programs, we offer expert advice, regular webinars, the annual Liquor Industry Conference, and many networking opportunities.