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Layoffs coming for liquor stores, including Humboldt

Come September of this year, there will be 32 less jobs in Saskatchewan liquor stores at seven locations across the province, including at the Humboldt location.
Saskatchewan Liquor Store
Liquor stores across the province, including the Humboldt location, will feel the pinch as the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority will be eliminating 32 liquor store positions come September. photo by Christopher Lee

Come September of this year, there will be 32 less jobs in Saskatchewan liquor stores at seven locations across the province, including at the Humboldt location.

According to David Morris with the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority, 13 full-time and 19 permanent part-time positions will be laid off come September because of recent changes to the off sale ordering system.

“Previously, the rules were that liquor retailers had to make all their purchases from SLGA liquor stores. Now what they can do, if they want, is to order directly from the warehouse in Regina.”

That shift from commercial stores to the warehouse has created a “rollback” in the number of employees needed, says Morris.

“In the end, it won’t effect the service the customers receive when they come to the store. What this is about is a change in the business,” says Morris, since there is not as much product moving through the store.

While liquor and gaming has contributed $503 million towards the Government’s bottom line, according to the 2016-17 Public Accounts released on July 21, this is “representing a, $34 million, or 6.3 per cent, decline from 2015-16 and a $33 million, or 6.2 per cent, shortfall from budget,” says the report, which includes drops in liquor, Video Lottery Terminals, and slot machine revenue.

Bob Stadnichuk with the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees’ Union (SGEU), says they are still dealing with the 40 SLGA location closures across the province, especially in rural communities.

These are another 32 career opportunities lost in the province and a loss of good and dedicated employees, says Stadnichuk.

“For them it’s not only a loss of a job but a loss of a potential career and these are good family paying jobs which are hard to find in small communities.”

Given the reasoning behind the layoffs, Stadnichuk does not think it is a fair reason considering everyone knows the dire straits the government is in.

“They’re asking all departments; whether they’re in health, education, or public service, they’re asking them all to chip in a little money and find some savings.”

According to Stadnichuk, with this being a negotiation year with the SLGA, by early January the Saskatchewan government was asking them to find $25 million in savings of the SGEU. These layoffs are just part of it, says Stadnichuk.

Positions will also be lost in Moose Jaw, Regina, Estevan, Weyburn, Saskatoon, and Prince Albert.

Updated: August 3, 2017, 1:00 p.m.