Thursday June 13, 2024 | VICTORIA, BC [Updated June 16, 2024]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
[Update June 16, 2024: Cascadia Liquor store workers ratified their first collective agreement on June 15, 2024. The strike and boycott are over, it was stated in a news release from the SEIU Local 2 on June 16, 2024.] Workers were on the picket lines for 43 days. The new deal is a three-year contract includeing significant wage increases, wage premiums for specialized positions, health and dental benefits, and other improvements.
Original post from June 13, 2024:
For what appears to the first time in the private sector that workers have applied to unionize amidst an ongoing strike action, today the majority of workers at Cascadia Liquor Uptown (3671 Uptown Blvd in Victoria) signed union cards to join three other Cascadia Liquor stores and unionize their workplace.
The other three Cascadia retail locations that have seen strike action from workers are at Quadra Village, Eagle Creek and Colwood (Royal Bay) — all on strike since May 4. The Langford Parkway and Cadboro Bay location workers are not on strike.
“The Uptown location workers have been inspired by their colleagues and hope to improve their workplace by joining the fight for fair wages and respect,” it was stated in a news release from SEIU Local 2 (Service Employees International Union).
Last month the union issued a boycott of all businesses owned by the Truffles Group until the job action by Cascadia Liquor workers comes to an end, according to today’s news release from SIEU Local 2.
About SIEU:
SIEU says that Cascadia workers are seeking wage increases that would bring them level with workers in other unionized private liquor store chains in BC.
SIEU has 20,000 members across Ontario, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Alberta.
Victoria-based business:
Cascadia Liqour Stores are owned by the Truffles Group which also owns Truffles Catering, Habitat Catering, three locations of Flight Cannabis, Butterfly Gardens and 13 Cascadia Liquor store locations.
The Victoria-based Truffles Group theme slogan is: Creating Genuine, Elevated Guest and Team Experiences.