Langley Chamber Calls for Action on Liquor Distribution Branch Closure with Minister, MLAs
Langley Chamber Calls for Action on Liquor Distribution Branch Closure with Minister, MLAs
In response to the negative impacts being experience by Langley liquor, cannabis and hospitality businesses due to the closure of the Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) by BCGEU job action, the Langley Chamber has engaged the Minister of Finance and our local Langley MLAs to urge an end to the job action and a resumption of negotiations at the bargaining table.
In letters to the Minister, Deputy Minister, and MLAs, the Langley Chamber cites growing product shortages and the negative impact that is having on sales and profitability for Langley businesses caught in the middle of this job action. The Langley Chamber is particularly concerned with impacts to the restaurant and hospitality sector which was one of the hardest hit parts of our economy during the pandemic. For many of these businesses the summer season is critical to their profitability, and having supply shortages driving down sales will cause further hardship for these businesses.
The Langley Chamber is calling on the provincial government return to the bargaining table with a requirement that this job action cease to allow for negotiations to continue. In addition, the Langley Chamber is recommending back-up distribution plans be developed to allow additional product to be distributed outside of normal LDB processes.
The Langley Chamber is continuing to engage with impacted Langley businesses and will continue to work to encourage a solution with government.