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The Charter of the French language and its regulations govern the consultation of English-language content.
Montréal, Saturday, August 27, 2022 – The Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC) welcomes the ruling of the Tribunal administratif du travail (TAT) that the work stoppage begun at the Aylmer store on August 16, 2022, is in violation of the Labour Code and, as such, is illegal.
The SQDC has always recognized the right to strike as enshrined in the Labour Code. However, in the specific case of the Aylmer store, certification was granted to the store on April 28, 2022 and, as CUPE local 5454 failed to send to the employer a notice to bargain in compliance with the Labour Code requirements applicable to such certification, the right to strike will be acquired only on October 25, 2022.
On August 15, 2022, the SQDC sent a formal demand to CUPE local 5454 asking it not to call an illegal strike. By way of reply, the union declared an unlimited general strike the next morning.
Under the Tribunal’s decision, the Aylmer store employees are to “return to work and deliver their regular work performance beginning today and until the date on which the right to strike is acquired and to refrain from taking part in any illegal concerted activity intended to slow operations.” The SQDC hopes to maintain a healthy work environment in its stores and will welcome back the employees on their return to work.
About the negotiations with CUPE
The SQDC has 90 stores, half of which are ununionized. The current labour dispute involves only 22 of the 28 stores represented by CUPE. The employees of these stores have been on strike since May 30, 2022. It should be noted that the employees of two of the 28 CUPE-represented stores, namely St-Nicolas and Alma, have decided not to go on strike but to remain on the job.
The SQDC is making every effort to maintain customer service in all its stores, including those that are affected by the strike but remain open, albeit with reduced schedules. As usual, customers also have access to online shopping on SQDC.ca. This is important if the company is to continue carrying out its mission. Information about the reduced opening hours will be found on SQDC.ca.
The SQDC remains hopeful of reaching a negotiated agreement satisfactory to both parties and is always prepared to return to the bargaining table. Note that, in June, the company signed an agreement with the CSN and the employees of the 17 SQDC stores it represents.