Some thirsty Port Coquitlam residents seeking to stock up on spirits may have been surprised to see the liquor store on Westwood Street closed on Wednesday,
Unionized liquor store employees walked off the job for the day along with thousands of other BC Government Employees Union (BCGEU) members, including corrections workers at the North Fraser Pre-trail Centre also in PoCo.
Courts, jails, ICBC offices were also among more than 1,700 affected worksites, although essential services were supposed to be maintained.
The Sept. 5 job action was ordered by leaders of BCGEU, the Professional Employees Association and the Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union.
The union is seeking a 3.5% pay hike this year and a cost of living increase in 2013, after two years of no wage hikes under the government's net-zero mandate.
The province had offered 2% in the first year and 1.5% in the second but has has since taken the package off the table, citing concerns about the state of the government treasury.
However, employees at the PoCo liquor store said concerns about the privatization of the Liquor Distribution Branch is just as much of a concern and were asking people to sign a petition against it. Only a few people showed up to buy liquor and most of the public has been supportive of the job action, said one union member, and a lot of drivers have been honking at at strikers wearing union signs.
The BCGEU has also proposed fiscal reforms such as Sunday liquor store openings and the use of sheriffs for traffic enforcement.
- with files from Jeff Nagel
