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“B.C.’s public liquor stores have a long history of responsible retailing and continue to sell most of the beer, wine and liquor sold in our province today. This is also an important source of provincial revenue to fund public services,” says BCGEU President Darryl Walker. “If the government is determined to move to a store-within-a-store model, these should be public stores with trained, experienced staff.”
Vancouver (04 Feb. 2014) - The British Columbia Government and General Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) is calling on the provincial government to maintain a public retailing model as it develops and implements a move to allow grocery stores to sell liquor. Grocery store sales is one of 73 recommendations included in a provincial liquor policy review released today by Parliamentary Secretary John Yap.
Provinces' Liquor stores responsible retailer
“B.C.’s public liquor stores have a long history of responsible retailing and continue to sell most of the beer, wine and liquor sold in our province today. This is also an important source of provincial revenue to fund public services,” says BCGEU President Darryl Walker. “If the government is determined to move to a store-within-a-store model, these should be public stores with trained, experienced staff.”
Union applauds move to modernize regulations
The BCGEU/NUPGE applauds the government’s plans to modernize liquor regulations, emphasize enforcement of regulations and its plan to modernize the Liquor Distribution Branch warehousing and distribution systems. The union continues to call on the government to modernize the public liquor store system by allowing Sunday openings of public stores, expanded hours and offering refrigerated products for sale.
“Our public stores offer the best selection, the best prices, knowledgeable staff and have a long history of serving the province responsibly,” says Walker. “There is nothing convenient for shoppers by having these stores closed on Sundays and using an outdated retailing model.”
The BCGEU/NUPGE is requesting a meeting with Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton to discuss the recommendations.
More information:
BCGEU Componet 5 - Retail Stores and Warehouses News
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE