Amidst the ongoing B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) strike, restaurants and bars in British Columbia are facing a severe liquor shortage.
Mark von Schellwitz, the vice-president for Western Canada at Restaurants Canada, expressed concern over the dwindling liquor supplies, stating that many establishments are now at critically low levels. Due to the strike, restaurants are resorting to sending staff all over the Lower Mainland in search of minimal liquor stocks, with options becoming increasingly limited.
The impact of the strike has been exacerbated by the closure of most liquor stores and the depletion of U.S. liquor inventories due to trade tensions. The recent decision by the BCGEU to pull all remaining workers at government-run liquor and cannabis stores off the job has further escalated the situation, affecting nearly 25,000 public-sector employees on picket lines.
The hospitality industry in B.C. is facing significant challenges, with many restaurants operating at a loss or barely breaking even. Von Schellwitz emphasized that without a resolution or alternative options for acquiring liquor products, establishments may be forced to reduce operating hours, leading to potential layoffs.
Restaurants Canada is calling on the government to intervene swiftly to address the liquor supply issue, suggesting solutions such as purchasing from private liquor stores. If a resolution is not reached promptly, the group warns that back-to-work legislation may need to be considered to prevent further negative impacts on the economy and the hospitality sector in British Columbia.
Keyphrase: BCGEU strike impact restaurants