Urgent Update: BCGEU Strike Enters Second Week

Dear ABLE BC members and industry colleagues,

Earlier this morning, ABLE BC’s Board of Directors held an emergency meeting to discuss tactics and next steps in dealing with the BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) strike. Like you, we are deeply concerned about the long term impacts to our industry if this strike continues any longer. 

We have sought legal counsel to explore possible options including financial compensation and pushing for the Labour Relations Board (LRB) to deem Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) warehouse employees essential. We continue to meet with government daily and will share information and updates as they are available. 

Survey

To help us quantify the impact this strike is having on your businesses and our industry, please fill out this survey. Your participation is critical to showing government and the public the true costs of the BCGEU’s strike. 

Take the Survey Now

Resources

We know that many businesses are facing the tough reality of reducing operating hours or temporarily closing down due to a lack of inventory. Our partners at go2HR have put together this FAQ about temporary layoffs.

Click here for more information on employer responsibilities for Employment Insurance (EI) and here for information on supplementing EI benefits. If you are temporarily laying off employees, ensure to use Code A (shortage of work) on their Record of Employment (ROE). Click here for more information. 

ABLE BC members are also encouraged to reach out to the go2HR Consultant in their region for assistance and guidance when laying off employees. 

Click here to read our BCGEU strike FAQs.

Click here to download stock out signage.

Click here for a list of local producers to order from.

ABLE BC in the Media

ABLE BC’s Executive Director, Jeff Guignard, has frequently been pushing our message out to the public in the media.

Ann Brydle