SQDC closes St-Hubert Plaza branch
The SQDC is closing its branch on Plaza St‑Hubert, the first time any branch of the government‑owned monopoly is being closed. The SQDC says it’s a business decision based on the lease and various other mumbly excuses; the union thinks it’s revenge for workers having unionized and struck for better terms a year and a half ago.
carswell 18:04 on 2024-02-08 Permalink
It’s true that the store was one of the bigger focuses of the labour dispute. That was partly due to its prominence – for quite a while *the* store for that big part of city – and resulting popularity (haven’t seen traffic figures ever and don’t know if traffic returned to normal after the strike). I wonder how many of the laid-off employees are active in or leaders of the union and/or strike.
While the store’s disappearance won’t leave as big a hole as it would have four years ago, the other nearby stores aren’t really that nearby (Jarry metro, Mont Royal metro, St. Lawrence/Laurier, Promenade Masson, Acadie metro). Also, given the difficulty the SQDC has finding on-island locations that comply with the ridiculously strict criteria the CAQ imposed when they took power, it seems odd the SQDC would readily give up such a centrally located one. Clear as mud, which makes the official explanation sound more than a little suspicious.
Ian 22:03 on 2024-02-08 Permalink
I do find it odd that the SDQC wasn’t union by default considering that the SAQ is CSN.
steph 22:31 on 2024-02-08 Permalink
Even with the CSN, it takes ages to negotiate a work contract.