Two sides are far apart in LCBO contract negotiations before strike deadline

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TORONTO — The union representing workers at Ontario’s largest liquor retailer says the two sides are still far apart ahead of the strike date.

The Ontario Public Employees Union has given its approximately 10,000 employees at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario a strike deadline of 12:01 a.m. on Friday.

A union spokesman said on Thursday that they were determined to negotiate good results for workers, but expected it to be a long day.

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The LCBO has said that in the event of a strike, all stores would remain closed for 14 days. If the strike continues after that, the state-owned company will open 30 stores with reduced hours three days a week – Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The LCBO will also continue its online retail operations, it said in a statement, but what customers can buy may also be limited.

“Given the impact a strike would have on distribution and operations, the LCBO must implement appropriate caps on products in-store and online,” the LCBO wrote in its strike plan.

A strike would not affect LCBO convenience stores in smaller communities, and sales would also continue at grocery stores, outlets of private wineries, breweries and distilleries, as well as bars, restaurants and The Beer Store.

Workers are demanding pay increases and more full-time jobs. They say that 70 percent of their workforce now works part-time.

The union also 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.

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