Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye is the 2016 World Whisky of the Year, becoming the first Canadian whisky to earn the title in Jim Murray’s annual Whisky Bible, showcasing the brand’s prominence as a category leader. (DIAGEO CANADA)
Workers at a Manitoba distillery responsible for producing Crown Royal whisky and other beverages hit the picket line on Saturday.
About 50 UFCW Local 832 members working at the Diageo plant in Gimli, Manitoba voted 98 percent to reject the company’s final offer on Friday.
“Our members go to work every day with the mindset that they are making world’s greatest whisky. The membership believes that if the company put the same effort into this round of bargaining we wouldn’t be on strike,” said UFCW Local 832 president Jeff Traeger.
Workers are seeking wage increases, vacation time and health and welfare benefits.
The Gimli plant is responsible for producing the award-winning Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye, which won the distinction of the world’s best whisky for 2016. Since then, Manitoba Liquor Mart stores and retail outlets across Canada haven’t been able to keep up with the demand.
A tweet from the Liquor Marts Twitter account said stores will see more stock of Northern Harvest Rye on the shelves beginning today.
You'll find @CrownRoyal Northern Harvest Rye back in stores across Manitoba tomorrow! https://t.co/jXFbMaJZ6z pic.twitter.com/ktqPcoRfQu
— Liquor Marts (@LiquorMarts) March 4, 2016
UFCW Local 832 represents over 17,000 workers in Manitoba and over 240,000 members across Canada.
