Molson Canada (TAP) workers have rejected the latest contract offer put forward by the
beverage company, keeping more than 400 employees on the picket lines and pushing the
labour strike into a third month.
Teamsters Canada said the union voted 92.4% against a collective agreement put on the table
by the 236-year-old brewery company that is based in Montreal.
The union said concerns over salary increases remain the main issue for workers amid inflation
that is at a 30-year high in Canada. Other issues in dispute include pensions and work
scheduling.
Molson said the rejected deal marks its final offer following the workers’ walkout on March 25 of
this year, with managers now having to deliver beer themselves to bars and liquor stores under
a contingency plan.
The Quebec Bar Owners' Association has said that numerous pubs in the province are missing
beer due to the strike that is now in its 11th week.
Quebec's labour tribunal issued an interim order last month requiring Molson Canada to stop
employing replacement workers until a union complaint can be heard by the quasi-judicial body.
Shares of Molson Coors, the parent company of Molson Canada, have risen 14% so far this
year to $54.06 U.S.
