This "strike" is the result of long time frustration with the breweries who have failed to recognize and respect the industry and pay adequate handling fees. The final straw came this winter when the deposit/refund was increased to $1.20 per dozen. Dealers were not notified in advance. Handling fees were not increased. Many dealers are suffering because of the increase in the needed investment to collect the bottles and the decreased percentage of the profit margin.
The historical significances of this move are that the Association is united in showing it's force and because it is a vital step in the unification of the provinces as a lobby group. Our President and members have put a lot of effort, thought and organization into this stand. We have written and met with the Minister of Environ-ment, Wayne Adams, and the RRF (Resource Recovery Fund) Chairman of the Solid Waste Management Committee stating our request (the liquor stores get out of the bottle dealing business and adequate handling fees). The President and executive have traveled to NB and met with the NB bottle dealers and the President of ENCORP (our RRF equivalent). We, with NB have a professional negotiator hired to ensure proper and adequate negotiations. All other affected and interested parties have been notified including the RRF, the breweries and members. We have had considerable coverage in the newspapers. And, our President has held meetings with our members who are the big dealers and affected by these undertakings.
We have acquired a toll free number 1-888-404-6673 or 1-888-404-MORE which gives members from around the province current news on our progress. This recording can be accessed for changing the message by our President only and is an important communications link for members. It is being billed to our Treasurer for approx-imately $19 per month plus 8 cents per minute over a certain time period. The continuance of this number after the current "strike" and negotiations will be assessed and decided upon at our meeting.
Members who were able held back beer bottles from the breweries. This impact was felt by the breweries and the various parties involved took notice. With this still not affecting the desired changes our tactic was to move on to paying less than the legislated full refund of $1.20 per dozen on refillable beer bottles. This directive has ceased because parties like the MOE seriously looked at our plight. The Minister took on the role of negotiator with the breweries and the RRF and has made this a priority. Remember the studies done by the breweries and ENCORP of NB where cost studies for handling the various containers concluded handling costs to be the following:
Study Beer Alcohol Non- alcohol ENCORP 2.13 3.27 1.85 Brewery 1.50 9.72 1.60
Both of these studies are two years old. Variations in cost were significant depending on volume handled and efficiency of operations. Breweries are currently paying about 1.75 cents per container. Both provinces are getting 3 cents per alcohol container. NB is getting 3 cents per non-alcohol container and NS is getting 2.5 cents. A similar study for the Nova Scotian Enviro-Depots (ED's) has not yet been done.
There are at present 31 licensed beer bottle dealers in NS with only 15-20 being active. There are over 90 ED's. One goal of the Association is one-stop complete bottle dealing and recycling services at all depots. This would greatly enhance our services to the public, make us better all around businesses and make us vital participators in the 50% waste diversion goals of this country. With all depots also handling beer bottles a conceivable plan would be RRF involvement for collections of the bottles and all depots being licensed dealers.
Meanwhile we continue our battle to make a decent living, maintain open communications with the breweries, the Department of Environment, the NSLC, the RRF Board Inc. and members. We continue to cement relations with our NB counterparts and support a joint settlement of beer bottle handling fees. We look forward to big changes that will make us viable small businesses that provide good jobs and good environmental services for the people.
With the realizations that the phasing out of bottle dealing by the NSLC is a serious move with reaching implications we remain patient and hopeful knowing that this move is being seriously considered, will take time to implement but will be worthwhile when we do not have government competition to our businesses.
Meetings continue.
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