SAQ workers ratify a new collective agreement after 2 years of negotiations

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Employees of the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) will finally have a new collective agreement after 71 percent of union members ratified the terms on Friday.

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This ends two years of negotiations between the SAQ and its unionized employees. The union announced the news in a press release and thanked its members for being “united in this fight”.

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“After two years spent alongside an intransigent employer, we are convinced, given our socio-economic situation, that we are looking for the best collective agreement possible,” according to the union press release.

The new contract provides for a 19.7 percent wage increase over the next six years, according to a document the union sent to its members last week. This also prevents the employer from eliminating more than 30 positions per year.

The Union of Store and Office Employees of the SAQ (SEMB-SAQ-CSN) indicated that 2,346 members voted on Friday, out of the 5,000 employees represented by the union.

The union affirms that “the fight continues” for its members and that it will ensure with the greatest attention that the new conditions are implemented in the best possible conditions.

Union members have been without a collective agreement since March 2023.

The employer is “satisfied” with the adoption of the new contract.

“The acceptance of this agreement now allows us to concentrate fully on the approaching holiday season, in order to offer our customers a service and experience that meets the quality standards to which they are accustomed,” said declared Jacques, president and CEO of the SAQ. Farcy said in a statement.

“I would like to express my deep gratitude to our customers, business partners and all of our employees for their patience and understanding over the past few months.”

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