A Liquor Mart location in south Winnipeg. (TWITTER)
UPDATE: Friday, December 5 — A tentative agreement has been reached to avoid strike action.
— — —
The holidays may be a little less merry this season.
Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries employees have voted 97 percent in favour of possible strike action after rejecting a new contract offer.
The employees work at Manitoba Liquor Marts across the province and are seeking a fair and reasonable wage increase, a few improvements to benefits and no concessions.
“The members spoke loud and clear and gave the bargaining committee a strong strike mandate,” said MGEU president Michelle Gawronsky. “We stand in solidarity: the liquor workers want the employer to come back to the bargaining table prepared to bargain in earnest, without the concessions and with a reasonable wage offer.”
Voter turnout of 868 workers represent staff in all departments, including retail, head office and the distribution centre.
Both sides will meet again Thursday in an effort to reach a new contract.
