Striking retail liquor workers with Armstrong Regional Cooperative (ARC) disrupted a company holiday dinner in Vernon, B.C., on Saturday, demanding the employer return to the bargaining table.
The workers, represented by SEIU Local 2, have been on strike for more than 14 weeks, citing unresolved issues over wages and alleged stalled negotiations, according to the union. The group was joined by other unionized liquor workers and ARC co-op members in a three-minute demonstration.
Julia Scott, one of the striking employees, said the intervention was a last resort. “No one wants to strike. No one wants to make an intervention at a holiday gathering,” she said. “But the reality is that we had no choice but to bring our message directly to the employer since they are refusing to sit down and talk to us at the bargaining table.”
The workers unfurled a banner urging ARC to honour its cooperative values and handed out chocolate treats to attendees. A person dressed as Santa Claus delivered a box of coal to company representatives.
ARC Liquor employees at the Guisachan Village location in Kelowna, B.C., began their strike on Sept. 14, after negotiations stalled shortly after the employer presented what it called a “final” offer.
Nathan Sanders, another striking employee, said the workers are committed to the co-op’s success but want fair negotiations. “ARC talks a big game about being a cooperative that embraces discussion and the local community. The workers are the local community!” he said. “We are waiting on ARC to agree to fair negotiations.”
The demonstration also drew support from co-op members like Cyril Chippeway, who joined the workers’ efforts. “The reason I wanted to help is because I heard there were five people fighting a greedy corporation for their right to negotiate good wages,” Chippeway said. “ARC needs to walk the talk about valuing democracy and community.”
SEIU Local 2 has planned a rally at ARC Liquor’s Guisachan Village location in Kelowna for Thursday.