SLGA cuts more than 30 positions at liquor stores

More layoffs are happening at Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority stores across the province.

SGEU Local 6080 chairperson Bob Stadnichuk confirmed the layoffs to 650 CKOM in an interview Wednesday, saying the SLGA was chopping 31 to 33 full and part-time positions.

Saskatoon is bearing the brunt of the cuts, losing 16 positions.

Eight Regina jobs are also being lost, while the rest come from smaller centres province-wide.

Stadnichuk, who works at the store in University Heights, is one of the employees let go.

“I’m going through the process like everybody else,” he said.

He added he wasn’t surprised, given the cuts mostly targeted junior full-time employees. Stadnichuk has worked with SLGA for 10 years.

But as a union leader, he said his concern is more for other members.

“We’ve got single mothers with kids, who are trying to support themselves,” he said.

“We’ve got a single family, expecting another child, who just signed a new mortgage. They’re getting the layoffs.”

Stadnichuk said the union was made aware of the possibility of cuts during negotiations around the time the province’s budget was announced.

He said SGEU advocated against the job losses, especially given they were already experiencing the closure of 40 stores.

“Leave us alone. Don’t come after us anymore, we’re done,” he said.

Employees were informed last week they would work their final day on Sept. 21.