Table of Contents
- Support BCGEU & Stand with B.C. Public Sector Workers
- BCGEU Strike Leaves Private Business Owners Left High & Dry
- BCGEU Strike & The Return Of The Black Market
- Final Thoughts
On Monday, August 15th, the BC Liquor Distribution Branch (BCLDB) announced that the BCGEU has forced the closure of The BC Cannabis distribution centre. This comes after 33,000 B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) workers go on strike in response to negotiations between the parties reaching an impasse in early April.
“We’ve been clear from day one that cost of living protection for wages was the key to a deal this round,” said Stephanie Smith, president of the BCGEU and chair of the union’s public service bargaining committee. “It’s a fair demand and we know government can afford it but the employer tabled two wage proposals that didn’t even get halfway there. This [strike] is a chance for our members to tell their employer what they think of those offers.”
The BCGEU is one of many public sector unions, and they’re not about to let their agreement with government expire without a fight. In fact almost 400,000 workers have deals that will soon be coming up for renewal in 2022 or already did so earlier this year. Even members of other unions such as CUPE are curious how any potential job action might affect them.
Support BCGEU & Stand with B.C. Public Sector Workers
You can show your support for the BCGEU & Stand with B.C. Public Sector Workers by following the link below. Contacting your MLA & showing support for BCGEU is easy and shows you support equal & fair compensation for our public sector workers.
Show Your support: Email your MLA | Stand With B.C. Public Sector Workers! (good.do)
You can also tweet directly at your MLA Here: Tweet at your MLA to #StandWithPublicSectorWorkers! – Bargaining BC
The BCGEU is comprised of all organizations that are owned and operated by the government. It includes everything from firefighters, teachers, healthcare workers and more,
BCGEU Strike Leaves Private Business Owners Left High & Dry
The BC Cannabis stores are continuing their operations and serving customers as normal. In response, the BCLDB announced its cannabis distribution centre will not accept or ship product, assemble orders, or process invoices or purchase orders. It is a decision that some private business owners believe to be unfair as they will face the brunt while provincial stores continue to operate amidst the distribution shortage.
Retail liquor and cannabis stores are not part of the strike launched over wages, but the cannabis division of the Burnaby customer care centre is part of the job action, the union said.
The province was preparing to allow cannabis stores to accept direct deliveries of product from licensed producers long before the strike began, but until those deliveries start, stores have no choice but to get their products from the BCLDB.
“The BC Liquor Distribution Branch recognizes the current job action being taken by the BC General Employee’s Union may be concerning to wholesale and retail customers,” it said in a release, noting that BC Cannabis Stores online is also unable to fulfil or deliver customer orders.
“We do not know the extent of any future job action and therefore cannot speculate on the inventory levels held by wholesale customers nor customer demand and buying behaviours in this dynamic environment.”
High Tide Inc., which is behind the Canna Cabana chain of stores, also pressed the province to take action quickly.
“For the time being we are managing the situation by reallocating inventory between our British Columbia stores, but if the job action is not resolved within the next 10 days, we could face inventory issues,” said senior vice-president of corporate and public affairs Omar Khan, in an email.
BCGEU Strike & The Return Of The Black Market
Amidst the battle between the workers and the province, some dispensary owners fear the doors to the black market will be reopened as a result of the BCGEU strike.
One owner in the lower mainland said that, although he is one of the luckier ones to have a large inventory, he could run out of products as soon as three weeks from now due to the supply-demand shortage.
Learn more about the prolific growth of Black Market cannabis by reading our article – Street Weed Vs Medical Weed
Black market cannabis has been on the rise because it is easier to buy cannabis from unregulated retailers than it is to buy it from a legal retailer. The strike by union workers at the Burnaby customer care centre could make things even worse. It will lead to shortages of cannabis products at legal stores across BC. This could drive more customers to the black market. Which already has a significant edge over the legal market in terms of price and availability.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, your decision to support the BCGEU is not something we can change. However, at Kootenay Botanicals, we stand with public sector workers and encourage our customers to do the same.
If you are a cannabis consumer that finds themselves without access to clean & affordable cannabis; we offer same-day delivery if you’re in Vancouver and anywhere else in Canada within a few days.
Check out our shop today and find anything from Flower, Vapes, Edibles, and anything else your canna-heart desires!
Sources:
BCGEU – https://www.bcgeu.ca/job_action_aug15
CUPE – https://bcchs.cupe.ca/2022/08/16/bcgeu-strike-update-what-you-should-know/
Burnaby Now – https://www.burnabynow.com/local-news/bcgeu-strike-leaves-private-cannabis-retailers-high-and-dry-5727220
