Employees of 404 of Quebec's liquor store branches walked off the job around 10 a.m. Tuesday, initiating strike action.

Last month, 5,500 union members voted 91 per cent in favour of a six-day strike at SAQ outlets.

While the walkout affected most of the outlets, management was able to keep more than 60 outlets open.

The days are to be taken individually, when they're strategically convenient. It's not expected to carry on for six days in succession.

The union said its workers could technically be back to work Wednesday, but they have five more days to take at any time they feel it's strategically advantageous to them.

 

Katia Lelieve, union president, said the walkout occurred in the wake of two bargaining sessions held on July 12 and 13.

Following these sessions, union members have opted to not accept the conditions presented.

Union vice-president Simon Desjardins said the union chose Tuesday to walk out for strategic reasons.

“We chose today because today our committee is negotiating at the moment and we want to send a message that we are serious and we want to go all the way with that,” he said.

Working hours and seniority are at the heart of the dispute, with the union saying the government wants employees with more experience to work evenings and weekends, which the union considers a major setback.

Lelieve said 70 per cent of employees work part-time and already do full weekends, while more than one-half of the 30 per cent of full-time employees work at least one day on the weekend.

Negotiations have been ongoing for 16 months.
In a statement, the SAQ said it is working to resolve the issue.

"The SAQ (the corporation) wants to simplify its work methods and is proposing solutions that will both meet its need for flexibility while responding to the union's priorities and demands, especially when it comes to getting full-time jobs, ensuring the quality of schedules as well as increasing the number of guaranteed hours for part-time employees," the statement said.

The SAQ's website provides a full list of stores open during the strike.