Update: BCGEU - September 29, 2025

Update: BCGEU - September 29, 2025

Dear ABLE BC Members & Industry Allies,

ICYMI - last Friday, we shared an update that government and the BCGEU are scheduled to resume negotiations September 29th Monday (today).

Today's announcement signals only the start of ongoing negotiations and will likely require more followup meetings to be held between the two stakeholders.

As we are all waiting to see what the outcomes are, ABLE BC will continue to advocate strongly on your behalf, along with our industry allies.

ABLE BC's Bo Chen comments:

" This past weekend, I've had the privilege to listen directly to our members in hospitality, liquor, and cannabis. The impacts of these strikes to our supply chains are serious and deep, many operators have expressed their concerns on looking at near empty shelves and reducing staffing hours. As negotiations continue on, the current strike actions need to be de-escalated as an act of good will during this time for small businesses and employees that are stuck in the middle of this dispute".

For Media Requests & Collective Messaging: please reach out to Bo Chen at bo@ablebc.ca

Find our past BCGEU updates here.

ABLE BC - Empowering Small Businesses with a Voice

Courtesy of Global News, CityNews, and Vancouver Sun

ABLE BC is actively advocating on your behalf during the ongoing BCGEU strike. Our team has been working with media, government, and industry partners to highlight the serious impacts of distribution centre closures on small businesses and to push for fair, timely solutions.

Over the weekend, ABLE BC has spoken with multiple news outlets, ensuring your concerns are front and centre in the public conversation, including:

Global News: Uncertainty looms as talks set to resume between BCGEU and the province this week.
City News: Liquor store employees join BCGEU picket lines.
CBC BC: 60% of this B.C. cannabis store's supply chain cut off by BCGEU strike.

Additionally, Bo comments:

" It's important people understand what's at risk here for small businesses and the dedicated community behind them. Our industry is caught in the middle of this labour dispute, so empowering small businesses with a voice is something ABLE BC and our advocacy partners are proud to support."

For Media Requests & Collective Messaging: please reach out to Bo at bo@ablebc.ca

ABLE BC Supports Local Brands: Shipping Direct to Licensees

Top: CopperPenny Distilling; Left: Smyle Brands; Right: Okanagan Spirits; Bottom: Amani Craft

ABLE BC is actively collaborating with our industry partners to compile existing lists of breweries, distilleries, and cannabis producers that are able to ship directly to licensees. Our aim is to help members navigate supply options during these times more easily and ensure that support for local brands in your communities are highlighted as well.

Craft Brewers: browse over 200 BC Craft Brewers Guild members and sort by city/community. If a brewery has distribution, they can distribute directly to all LRS stores and all licensees in the province. All products made on-site can be delivered to all license holders.

Craft Distillers: browse Craft Distiller's Guild of BC members that can ship direct to BC licensees and LRS stores.

Craft Cannabis: browse BC Cannabis Alliance members that can ship directly to private cannabis stores in BC. Additionally, cannabis retailer can check out the bcdd.ca/directory link to see other direct delivery eligible cananbis products (Note** you need to sign-up and then get verified before you can have full access).

Advocate for Our Industry & Join ABLE BC Today!

In critical moments like these, ABLE BC’s advocacy is more important than ever. We are your voice at the table, fighting to protect your business and ensure government understands the urgent needs of our industry.

By joining ABLE BC, you gain more than member benefits like discounts, services, and resources. You become part of a united front that amplifies our industry’s collective strength. Together, we create impact where it matters most: with decision-makers in government.

For over 50 years, ABLE BC has secured business-friendly policy wins. But we can’t do this work without our members. As a non-profit, your membership fees directly fuel our ability to safeguard your business today and for the future.

Join ABLE BC and strengthen our industry's voice.

JOIN ABLE BC TODAY