TORONTO – Workers at Ontario’s largest liquor retailer have set a strike date for early July in the event they cannot reach an agreement with their employer.
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union said it had received a strike rejection report from the Ministry of Labour and was now in a position to strike on July 5.
Workers at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario are demanding pay increases and more full-time positions. They say 70 percent of the workforce now has part-time jobs.
“We love seeing Ontarians during peak season and we love being part of your celebrations,” said Colleen MacLeod, chair of the LCBO union’s collective bargaining unit.
“But we’ve been meeting with the LCBO since March and they’re not listening, so something has to happen.”
The workers recently voted in favor of a strike by a majority of 97 percent. Their collective agreement expired on March 31.
The union, which represents about 10,000 LCBO workers, fears job losses after Premier Doug Ford’s government announced plans to open the alcohol market to allow convenience stores and all grocery stores to sell beer, wine and ready-to-drink cocktails.
Some of these changes are expected to come into effect this summer.
The LCBO has stated that it wants to avoid a strike but will ensure continued customer service during a work stoppage.
“The LCBO remains committed to reaching an agreement at the negotiating table without resorting to a strike by workers,” the state-owned provincial company said in a written statement.
“We have several bargaining dates this week where we will resume negotiations, focused on achieving a collective agreement renewal with OPSEU that is fair to our unionized employees and helps the LCBO operate efficiently and effectively for the people of Ontario in a changing market.”
The two sides planned to meet with a mediator later on Tuesday, the union said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 18, 2024.
Liam Casey, The Canadian Press
