Spratt says supporting Labatt products was the most effective way to get to Molson. Some might question whether a union should be promoting a product that competes with the company that employs its own workers. The CAW doesn't have any interest in Labatt. With the two breweries locked in a battle for Canada's beer dollar, supporting a competitor who is consistently gaining ground might not be the best idea in the long run. Even CAW president Buzz Hargrove has said they can't save the plant, so if what the union wants to do is put their members to work at Molson, they shouldn't be supporting the competitor even as a bargaining chip.
Financial analysts have said the plant closure is more than necessary, it is overdue.
It seems investors agree. And there's still the question of whether or not the boycott will be effective. Beer is an industry notorious for the brand loyalty among consumers, not to mention that many retail purchasing decisions are made by drunk people. So far, the effects of the boycott haven't been noticed, even in Barrie. Johnny Zhu, the owner of Denley's Sports Bar and Grill in Barrie says people are ordering what they've always ordered.