SAQ Employees Strike Over Pay Dispute, Highlighting Job Precarity
The Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) employees have gone on strike once again, with around 5,000 workers walking off the job on Thursday, October 17, 2024. The strike is part of an ongoing dispute between the SAQ Store and Office Employees Union, affiliated with the CSN, and their employer over salary and working conditions. The collective agreement expired in March 2023, and although some progress has been made in negotiations, key financial issues remain unresolved.
The union members, frustrated with the employer’s latest salary proposal, decided to take action after feeling "cheated" by the offer. The employer’s proposal included a 16.5% salary increase over six years, but the union argues that this is below the 17.4% increase over five years that was granted to public sector workers. The financial framework suggested by the SAQ also involved reductions in overtime pay and a reduction in the employer’s contribution to health insurance—changes the union is not willing to accept.
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The union has been using its strike days strategically, with two days already deployed in April, and Thursday marking the third day under their 15-day strike mandate. The strike took place at several SAQ branches, including Marché Jean-Talon in Montreal, where workers picketed and urged fellow employees not to cross the picket lines.
The strike highlights not just wage disputes but also broader concerns over job stability. Currently, nearly 70% of SAQ employees work part-time or are on call, with some having to wait as long as 12 years for a regular position. Union leaders, including Lisa Courtemanche, have emphasized that the precarious nature of these jobs is unsustainable, particularly when compared to other sectors offering better wages and working conditions for similar roles.
While some progress has been made in resolving normative clauses of the agreement, the union remains firm on its financial demands. Courtemanche expressed frustration that despite the ongoing negotiations, the employer has not shown sufficient willingness to compromise on critical financial issues such as insurance benefits and overtime compensation. For example, employees currently have to wait seven years to be eligible for insurance coverage, and the union is pushing to reduce this to five years, along with securing dental care.
The SAQ, meanwhile, maintains that it has made significant progress and remains hopeful for a resolution. A meeting between the union and the employer is scheduled for Friday, October 18, to continue discussions. However, tensions remain high, as many workers feel undervalued and unappreciated, especially when comparing their conditions to other sectors.
This strike represents a significant moment for SAQ employees, as they push for fair compensation and more secure working conditions, aiming to restore the value and respect once associated with their roles. Many workers, like union member Liam Belcourt, voiced their frustration, stating that SAQ jobs used to be highly valued but are now just seen as "another job at the grocery store."
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