Teamsters launch a general strike at Molson’s South Shore brewery
by CM Staff
A Montreal media outlet reported in February that the brewer's net sales have risen from $9.7 billion in 2020 to $10.3 billion in 2021.
LAVAL — Some 420 workers at the Molson-Coors brewing plant on Montreal’s South Shore are currently on strike.
On Mar. 20, nearly 320 workers present at a union meeting voted 99% against the latest management offers and 99% to give a strike mandate to their union, Teamsters Local Union 1999.
The points in dispute between the parties are numerous. In particular, the employer has proposed salary increases that are called insufficient and below inflation by the union. The union also posits that the employer wants to further implement a layoff system that does not take seniority into account.
“To put it bluntly, there are so many issues at stake in the negotiations that the employer would do well to review its strategy,” said Michel Héroux, President of Teamsters Local Union 1999. “Molson-Coors must understand that after years of difficulty, particularly with the move to the South Shore and subsequent downsizing, it must treat its workers with respect.”
It is an unlimited general strike. The members reportedly expressed their dissatisfaction on Mar. 20’s general assembly.
“The members are united and determined to be respected,” added Eric Picotte, Molson-Coors Local Union President. “We know the start date of this labour dispute, but I can’t say when it will end.”
“Since the merger with Coors in 2005, our working conditions have been deteriorating,” Picotte adds. “Since the merger with Miller a few years ago, decisions have been made from Milwaukee and it’s even worse.”
A Montreal media outlet reported in February that the brewer’s net sales have risen from $9.7 billion in 2020 to $10.3 billion in 2021, an increase of 6.5%. In the last quarter of the year, sales rose 14.2% to US$2.6 billion.
