CUPE Local 963 President Martha Thompson says this decision is another blow to the economy of these communities, that these communities are not only losing good paying jobs, they are losing tax revenues as well.
The NB Liquor stores in St. George and Bristol are slated to be closed by the New Year. They will be replaced with much smaller agency stores, and employees are being given the option to transfer to another corporate store.
Thompson says the agency stores will offer a much smaller selection with practically no customer service, adding, it seems New Brunswickers don't deserve the same level of services and selection from NB Liquor than people living in larger centres.
Thompson says they believe this is part of a scheme by the Alward government to privatize NB Liquor, and instead of facing the public backlash by privatizing all at once, the government is privatizing the corporation, piece by piece.
