SAQ employees approve new labour agreement with 71% support

Employees of Quebec’s liquor board approved the agreement in principle with 71 per cent support on Friday during four virtual general assemblies.

Out of the 5,000 members of the SAQ store and office employees union (SEMB-SAQ–CSN), 2,346 cast their votes — less than half of the membership.

“Some would have preferred a better settlement: We understand and partly share that desire,” the union wrote in a statement.

“However, after two years of facing an intransigent employer, we believe that, given the current socio-economic circumstances, we have achieved the best possible agreement-in-principle.”

SAQ management expressed satisfaction with the approval of the agreement in a brief statement released in the evening.

“The acceptance of this agreement now allows us to fully focus on the upcoming holiday season, ensuring that we provide our clients with the level of service and experience they have come to expect,” said Jacques Farcy, SAQ president and CEO in the statement.

SAQ employees will receive a 19.7 per cent salary increase over the next six years. The increases of six per cent are retroactive to April 1, 2023, along with 2.8 per cent increases effective April 1, 2024.

Part-time employees will gain access to the group insurance plan after five years of seniority and an average of 20 hours worked per week over the past year. Previously, seven years of seniority were required to qualify for the insurance plan.

The negotiations lasted two years, during which five strikes were called.

Key issues during the negotiations included salaries, group insurance and the number of part-time positions within the SAQ.

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