LCBO strike: Union can legally stop work on July 5

According to the union, LCBO workers have the right to strike on July 5.

The union, which represents about 10,000 LCBO workers, requested a no-board report from the Ontario Ministry of Labour on Tuesday, starting a 17-day countdown to the strike on July 5 at 12:01 a.m.

“We chose this date because we didn’t want to impact the first long weekend of the summer,” Colleen MacLeod, chair of the Alcohol Board’s Employees Division negotiating team, said at a news conference Tuesday.

“Let’s be clear. LCBO staff don’t want a dry Ontario in the summer either.”

If no agreement is reached during the eight negotiating sessions in just over two weeks, the union announced a strike. Previously, 97 percent of LCBO employees had voted overwhelmingly in favor of a strike order. But MacLeod said the goal is to reach an agreement.

The biggest point of contention between the state-owned company and LCBO employees is the Ford government’s expansion of alcohol sales.

“I firmly believe that it is the government that dictates how our employers negotiate,” MacLeod said.

OPSEU President JP Hornick said the union had put forward an alternative plan to the Ford government’s plan that would allow for the expansion and facilitation of alcohol sales while safeguarding good jobs and public profits. At the press conference, Hornick said she could not yet reveal details of the plan.

“If the government doesn’t want a hot, dry summer, they need to come up with an alternative plan that maintains comfort, that doesn’t roll back expansion, but just makes sure it’s done in a responsible way that protects public money,” Hornick said.

On Monday, the LCBO called for the involvement of an external mediator to reach an agreement between the liquor retailer and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) as quickly as possible.

In response to the strike vote, the LCBO said it was developing a plan to ensure continued customer service during a possible strike.

The Ford government has announced that it will expand alcohol sales in grocery and convenience stores, starting with ready-to-drink beverages and bulk beer in grocery stores on August 1, followed by beer, cider and wine in convenience stores on September 5.