The Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) is deploying today, for the fifth time since last April, its business continuity plan as the Union of its store and office employees (SEMB) launches a 24-hour strike day. 

Here is the official statement issued by the SAQ: 

"It is with disappointment that we acknowledge the SEMB Union’s decision to initiate another strike day. Since the strike days of October 17 and 18, we have held several meetings on the monetary aspect, and although there is still a way to go to find common ground, discussions were ongoing. As the holiday season approaches, we reiterate our wish to settle this agreement to restore normalcy for both our employees and our customers. We also hope that this strike day will be conducted with respect and that the experience of customers who choose to visit our stores today will reflect our values and the standards that guide us. 

We are working to implement our business continuity plan to provide our customers with limited access to our network for the duration of the strike. By noon, several of our stores across Quebec will be open to customers. The complete list of open stores will be available shortly on SAQ.COM, and we invite our customers to check it before visiting. 

Our transactional website SAQ.COM is operational for our customers at all times, and SAQ agencies remain accessible throughout Quebec.”