Agreement by SLGA and SGEU could cost the government millions in severance packages

The date when SLGA liquor stores are set to close is getting closer and that means hundreds of employees are set to be getting severance packages thanks to a new deal.

One of the Vice Presidents with the SGEU, Bob Stadnichuk said during the course of six weeks the province and the union were able to come to an agreement on a Workplace Adjustment Plan.

This covers severance packages and possible bumping for employees.

Stadnichuk said that he does not believe it is the best plan considering they were winding down operations for the SLGA.

“We did out best and I think most of our employees are happy with it,” he said.

Stadnichuk said he is unsure about the exact amount these severance package will cost the provincial government.

“Every employee is different, you’ll have some 40 year employees and you’ll have some 10 year employees,” he said.

But with that being said, he is estimating that it will be in the millions.

Earlier this week, the government announced that the auction of the SLGA permits will start next month.

Stadnichuk explained what it means once these auctions start.

“There’s no more hope, the government will not back down from that at all. They know that they’re making money out of that and know they’re making millions,” he said.

According to Stadnichuk, Lori Carr, the Minister responsible for the SLGA has said that people are lining up for these licenses.

He said as for the licenses we probably won’t be seeing any employees coming together to purchase one because of the money that is at play.

“These (licenses) are going to go to big corporations. I really doubt that you will see anybody like the mom and pop shops like you see in Alberta, you’ll never see them here in Saskatchewan,” Stadnichuk said.

Earlier this week Carr expressed in a media scrum that she wishes employees well but Stadnichuk says they have not heard that from her personally.

“Her sympathy to the employees is non existent, she has more thrill out of waiting to see how much money they are going to make on the licenses and she’s enjoying that,” he said.

“What she’s saying in the media now is like patting us on the head and pushing us out the door,” Stadnichuk added.

He said that the even customers are not happy about SLGA liquor stores closing.

“We are hearing from customers that this was the wrong decision by the government and as far as their concerned the government needs to change,” Stadnichuk said.

He added once the government said they were auctioning the licenses it put an end to any fight.

“The employees are tired, they’re feeling pretty depressed and they’re feeling let down by their government and it’s hard to get people to get up and fight anymore,” Stadnichuck said.

It is believed by the time the stores close on March 31 that around 400 employees will be out of a job.

With files from Lisa Schick/980 CJME