MOE BACK STABS LIQUOR WORKERS
SASKATCHEWAN
Public liquor store employee horrified by retail sell-offJeremy Simes -
Public liquor retail employee Courtney Topping says she felt a great deal of uncertainty after learning the government wants to sell off Saskatchewan’s remaining stores, resulting in hundreds of layoffs.
Members of various unions gather at a rally at the Legislative Building. Yesterday the provincial government announced the closure of all SLGA retail liquor stores in the province.
Topping, who rallied outside the Legislative Building on Thursday in support of public jobs, said she’s been a Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) employee for 11 years. It’s a well paying job that lets her support her children, she said.
“Being able to provide means the world,” she said. “But what they (the government) are doing is absolutely horrific. It’s going to affect so many people. Our roads, our hospitals, our education is going down the drain without SLGA.”
On Wednesday in the throne speech, the government announced it would be selling off Saskatchewan’s remaining 34 SLGA stores by March 31 .
The retail store permits associated with the 34 stores will be sold by public auction. Successful bidders are required to qualify for a commercial liquor permit.
Lori Carr, the minister responsible for SLGA, said the move will impact 284 full-time equivalents. The Saskatchewan Government and General Employees’ Union (SGEU), however, said more than 350 people will be let go.
Carr said the government is getting out of retail because the stores could start losing money, even though they are currently profitable.
“I think the fact that we have privatized other liquor stores have just given people a choice of where they want to go,” she told reporters. “That’s just the trend that’s happening and it’s a consumer choice.”
Members of various unions gather at a rally at the Legislative Building. Yesterday the provincial government announced the closure of all SLGA retail liquor stores in the province.
© MICHAELBELLPHOTOGRAPHY
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Saskatchewan's liquor future uncertain three years after privatization
According to government figures, SLGA retail profits were $3.2 million in 2021-22, a 194-per-cent decrease from a profit of $9.4 million in 2018-19. The government projects net income for 2022-23 will be $395,000.
The province said many of the stores would need to be relocated or adapted to better meet customer needs, which it believes would come at a significant cost and “no guarantee” to recuperate those expenses.
Carr said the dollars saved could be used on public infrastructure, like hospitals, schools and roads.
At a rally outside the legislature Thursday morning, SGEU vice-president of retail Bob Stadnichuk said the stores would always be profitable.
Stadnichuk, who works at an SLGA store, said profits from liquor stores help support public infrastructure because the dollars go into government revenues.
He said the jobs the stores provide are essential.
“They are jobs that you could actually raise a family on,” he said. “To suggest that we go to a minimum wage job, if that’s even available, that dream is gone.”
Members of various unions gather at a rally at the Legislative Building. Yesterday the provincial government announced the closure of all SLGA retail liquor stores in the province.
© MICHAELBELLPHOTOGRAPHY
Carr has said jobs for impacted workers will be available, noting they could own a store or work in the private liquor sector, even though wages would likely be lower.
“It’s always hard when people are transitioning from what they’re used to into something new,” she said. “Unfortunately, the model of retail liquor is just not feasible anymore for the province of Saskatchewan.”
NDP SLGA critic Nathaniel Teed has said his party doesn’t support the sell-off of public liquor stores. Axing them amid an affordability crisis, he said, is the wrong approach.
When asked what she thinks about being told other jobs are available, Topping said she thinks Carr should “wake up and smell the coffee.”
“We’re going to be fighting. We’re not going to lay down and let them walk over us,” she said. “We’re going up kicking and screaming.”
Carr has said the government will work with SGEU to negotiate a workforce adjustment plan for affected employees.
Stadnichuk said the union is working on strategies, which will involve all the members that are affected.
“I’d like to take a quote from Scott Moe: just watch us,” he said.
On the same day it announced the sell-off, the government announced it’s creating a new Crown corporation to handle lotteries and gaming. It will be called Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan (LGS).
The government said SaskGaming Corporation will be reconfigured as a wholly-owned subsidiary of LGS and will continue to operate Casinos Regina and Moose Jaw.
Members of various unions gather at a rally at the Legislative Building.© MICHAELBELLPHOTOGRAPHY
Members of various unions gather at a rally at the Legislative Building.© MICHAELBELLPHOTOGRAPHY
Carr has said jobs for impacted workers will be available, noting they could own a store or work in the private liquor sector, even though wages would likely be lower.
“It’s always hard when people are transitioning from what they’re used to into something new,” she said. “Unfortunately, the model of retail liquor is just not feasible anymore for the province of Saskatchewan.”
NDP SLGA critic Nathaniel Teed has said his party doesn’t support the sell-off of public liquor stores. Axing them amid an affordability crisis, he said, is the wrong approach.
When asked what she thinks about being told other jobs are available, Topping said she thinks Carr should “wake up and smell the coffee.”
“We’re going to be fighting. We’re not going to lay down and let them walk over us,” she said. “We’re going up kicking and screaming.”
Carr has said the government will work with SGEU to negotiate a workforce adjustment plan for affected employees.
Stadnichuk said the union is working on strategies, which will involve all the members that are affected.
“I’d like to take a quote from Scott Moe: just watch us,” he said.
On the same day it announced the sell-off, the government announced it’s creating a new Crown corporation to handle lotteries and gaming. It will be called Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan (LGS).
The government said SaskGaming Corporation will be reconfigured as a wholly-owned subsidiary of LGS and will continue to operate Casinos Regina and Moose Jaw.
Members of various unions gather at a rally at the Legislative Building.© MICHAELBELLPHOTOGRAPHY
Members of various unions gather at a rally at the Legislative Building.© MICHAELBELLPHOTOGRAPHY
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