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The effects of a strike at a sugar refinery in British Columbia are yielding not-so-sweet results for businesses and consumers as the holiday season approaches.
Workers at a Rogers Sugar refinery in Vancouver have been off the job since late September, which has led to supply disruptions on grocery store shelves across Western Canada and caused difficulties for bakers and other small businesses that rely on sugar.
“We were running out of sugar, but I went and hoarded 120 kilograms that will take us until the end of December,” said Constanace Menzies, owner and operator of Chocolatier Constance Popp.
Menzies said the bakery was running out of white sugar, and she only found the large quantity after visiting three different stores. She also said her supplier doesn’t have any sugar to offer.
Finding brown sugar has also been a struggle, Menzies said. She said she previously purchased a small amount from Bulk Barn, but they’re also out now: “We’re good for now, but planning forward we’ll wait and see.”
At Food Fare on Portage Avenue, Tarik Zeid called the shortage insane, and said customers have been so worried about it they’re panic buying.
He said some people have been pointing out product at other grocery stores and he’ll go there to buy it for Food Fare.
“If they see stuff there and they have a large quantity they’ll tell us, ‘Hey, I saw at this store or at that store,” he said. “If I can’t get it I’ll go and grab some myself so I can have some from my customers.”
“Even though it’s not proper going to shop at other places and cleaning out their supply to supply my stuff — it kind of looks like you’re hoarding — but I’m just trying to get for my customers, too.”
Rogers Sugar said Nov. 24 it asked for mediation to help bring an end to the eight-week strike at its Vancouver refinery.
The company says it has applied to the British Columbia Labour Relations Board for mediation to help it reach a new collective agreement with the 138 workers who have been off the job since Sept. 28.
Menzies said she’s optimistic about the strike coming to an end.
“I really do feel like they’re gonna resolve their strike issue,” she said. “I think they know that this is a baking season for everybody — for homes, for businesses,” she said. “So I think there’s gonna be a little bit of incentive and pressure … Rogers doesn’t want backlash from consumers, they also have to be mindful of that.”
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