Multi-province Lotto 6/49 game will be unplayable in Québec until strike is settled
By Kate Northrop
MONTREAL, Canada — Lottery players in Québec will be unable to participate in Canada's national Lotto 6/49 game due to an employee strike at the Québec Lottery (Loto-Québec).
Over 400 professionals at the Québec Lottery went on strike following failed negotiations around pay raises and rising inflation, causing a delay in ticket validation and the scheduled rollout of the new nationwide Lotto 6/49 game in the province.
The Lottery is calling this delay a result of "pressure tactics" used by employees represented by the Syndicat de professionnelles et professionels du government du Québec (SPGQ) labor union.
On Aug. 25, union members rejected the Lottery's 2% pay raise for its employees, arguing that the proposed salary increases did not keep up with inflation, union executive Lydia Martel said.
Five days later, the union members announced that a 72 percent majority had voted to reject the Lottery's offer, and that they would be launching a general unlimited strike on Sept. 10.
The group also mentioned grievances with current restrictions on remote work, which may come up in future discussions.
455 professionals, working across a variety of departments such as information technology, communications, procurement, sales and marketing, accounting, real estate, and legal affairs, went on strike Saturday, Sept. 10.
This is also not the first time the Lottery's employees went on strike. Following the previous failed round of negotiations a few weeks ago, the union took the same route.
The current strike's timing coincides with the Canada-wide rollout of the new and improved version of the Lotto 6/49 game, which is scheduled for Sept. 14. Because the strike started before the Lottery's computer systems were updated with the new game rules, it is impossible for the province to participate in the revamped game.
"Since Loto-Québec cannot guarantee the smooth rollout of the game due to the launch of an unlimited general strike by its professional staff, management prefers to reschedule it... It is technically impossible to continue the game in its current form beyond this date since the other provinces will be transitioning to the new, improved version," the Lottery said.
In a press release, the Lottery relayed that players cannot validate Lotto 6/49 tickets at a retailer or check their Lotto 6/49 tickets using the app as of Sept. 11. Players are encouraged to hold on to their ticket until "things go back to normal."
"Loto-Québec thanks its customers for their understanding and wishes to reassure customers that the integrity of its draws will not be compromised as a result, and all valid prize claims will be honored," the Lottery's statement reads.
Players may still buy tickets for all other lottery games, both online and in-person at retailers.
"Since employees are at the heart of its activities, Loto-Québec is committed to offering them the best possible working conditions and maintaining its ability to attract new talent while fulfilling its responsibilities as a government corporation," the Lottery said.
Oh Canada!
Typical greedy management -- pay your labour bill. I'm sure the unclaimed prize fund has enough to pay the workers
I guess that explains why their have't been any Quebec drawing results since 09/10!
I went to Quebec one time and have never returned. I myself called a personal wildcat strike against the whole dadgum province until the wimmins up there start shavin' their legs.
And I ain't kiddin' neither.
"... the unclaimed prize fund has enough to pay the workers."
And if that isn't enough then the money seized from the truckers should be.
Two percent is an insult.
"On Aug. 25, union members rejected the Lottery's 2% pay raise for its employees, arguing that the proposed salary increases did not keep up with inflation "
Considering Social Security might get a 9% cost of living raise, 2% seems very small even if it's in Canada. Never saw a Québec Lottery financial report but if their profits are anything like our state lotteries, they should offer at least 4%.
The Canadian unions are much more conservative than in the U.S. meaning they must really believe they are getting low-balled with the 2% offer.
A few years ago the UAW negotiated a profit sharing agreement with the then Chrysler Corp. The Canadian Auto Workers rejected it for $1 an hour over the next three years. By doing so they got a guaranteed $6000 regardless of any potential profits. The American Chrysler Auto Workers were paid on average $13,000 for the first year's profit sharing payment.
A few years ago the UAW negotiated a profit sharing agreement with the then Chrysler Corp.
"The Canadian Auto Workers rejected it for $1 an hour over the next three years"
Was It $1/Hr Increase In Each Of The 3 Years Or One-Time Lasting 3 Years?
Looks like the only lottery they will be playing for a while is called HARDBALL .
It was a 3 year contract and the $1 was added to whatever wage increase was agreed upon in lieu of taking the profit sharing. Don't recall if they took the profit sharing when that contract expired.
They still got a minimum of $6000 regardless of a profit or not.