These some 250 union members had given themselves a strike mandate in February.
They are asking the employer for a catch-up salary and better working conditions, in particular on schedules and work-family balance.
” We are on strike until we reach an agreement with the SQDCparticularly on the salary issue. »
President of the Union of Employees of the SQDCDavid Clément, asks the company to offer an entry-level wage, currently around $17 an hour, similar to that offered in other Crown corporations.
We have a request for negotiation of a starting salary of $23, to be able to have a salary that is comparable to other jobs, whether at Loto-Québec or at the SAQboth in warehouses and in branches
he explains.
Union members are demanding an increase in the starting salary and better working conditions.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Samuel Ranger
According to the union representative, the company is already facing a major problem of labor retention, because the starting salary is no longer competitive.
When we do not know the conditions at the SQDC, many people will say to themselves “state-owned company = good working conditions”. But what we see is that many new employees will last a day, a week, and will go to other places.
he explains.
For its part, the SQDC refuses to comment on the ongoing negotiations with the union side. The spokesperson for the state corporation, Fabrice Giguère, underlines the organization’s desire to minimize the repercussions of the strike on its clientele.
Our wish is to keep the service open to customers. This is why we have reduced the opening hours of the 22 branches that are affected
he explains, inviting customers to consult the website of the SQDC for the latest details.
The opening hours of the affected branches have been rearranged.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Samuel Ranger
He also affirms that the Crown corporation has no difficulty in hiring, but that recruitment is easier in urban centers than in the regions.
Difficult negotiations
Negotiations between the two parties began last October. There were a lot of difficulties, especially with regard to salaries.
says David Clement.
We had a salary offer that was submitted to us in mid-April, which did not provide for any salary catch-up and [proposait] increases of less than 2% per year
he adds.
Pressure tactics were organized afterwards, in particular by deviating from the employee’s dress code, with the wearing of Bermuda shorts, dresses and other clothing that did not respect this code.
In Eastern Quebec, only the Rimouski branch is affected by the strike.
The SQDC has more than 80 branches across the province, about half of which are unionized.
Some 180 employees of about fifteen branches of the state monopoly on the distribution of cannabis are represented by the CSN. They will decide on Sunday on a strike mandate requested by their union.
We gradually went into pressure tactics. We gave negotiation and mediation a chance, but obviously that’s not enough. We want to go on strike. We feel that there are quite a few who are in a hurry
assures Maxime Nadeau, president of the union of employees of the SQDC affiliated with the CSN.
He explains that the choice of strategies differs between the CUPE and the CSN.
Reference-ici.radio-canada.ca