By Times Chronicle Staff

Six major industry associations in BC have formed a coalition demanding immediate action to prevent what they warn will be “economic disaster” if an agreement to end the now seven week-long labour action by the BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) is not reached.

The coalition, which together represent about 10,000 businesses and 200,000 workers in BC, estimates the strike has already cost the industry over $250 million in liquor sales.

The grouping of BC’s largest hospitality, wine, beer, import agent, liquor retail, and cannabis industry associations is demanding immediate emergency measures to halt what it says is “serious economic damage being caused by the BCGEU strike and the province’s broken liquor & cannabis distribution system.”

The coalition is compromised of BC’s Alliance of Beverage Licensees (ABLE BC), the BC Restaurant & Foodservices Association (BCRFA), the BC Craft Brewers Guild, the Import Vintners & Spirits Association (IVSA), Restaurants Canada, and Wine Growers British Columbia (WGBC).

The grouping came together “to sound the alarm about an industry on the brink of collapse,” due the BCGEU strike “that has cut off access to products from LDB Wholesale warehouses and BC Liquor Stores.”

According to the coalition, about half of hospitality, retail, and import agent sales take place between October and December and over the holiday season.

The coalition notes that even if the strike were to end today, it will take months to clear the distribution backlog and to resume normal on-time deliveries to BC’s 10,000 hospitality and retail businesses. The coalition is calling for emergency measures and distribution flexibility to get liquor products flowing again during its busiest season.

“BC’s hospitality industry is not a bargaining chip. Yet we’re being punished by a labour dispute that has nothing to do with us, and that we have no ability to end. Our industry and the thousands who depend on it need an extraordinary plan now. Small businesses are already cutting staff hours. Inventory is trapped,” it added.

“Without immediate temporary concessions, doors will close and jobs will be lost permanently.”

An industry survey is underway, currently with over 500 respondents, revealing that the strike is taking a significant economic toll on local businesses.

As of October 17, 2025:

  • 76 per cent are facing workforce reductions;
  • Over 6 per cent have already made layoffs;
  • 41 per cent will lay off staff if the strike continues;
  • 29 per cent have already reduced employee hours;
  • 78 per cent fear business closure;
  • 40 per cent are worried about their business viability now;
  • Another 37 per cent will be if the strike continues;
  • 66 per cent experiencing significant cost increases;
  • 27 per cent have over $100,000 in inventory trapped in warehouses, unable to reach consumers.

The union agreed to enter into mediation on Friday and is seeking a four per cent general wage increase each year for two years.