LCBO strike: Union says collective bargaining has failed

A few hours before the strike deadline expired, the union representing tens of thousands of LCBO workers said it had no hope of reaching an agreement.

In a statement released shortly after 5 p.m., the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), which represents 10,000 LCBO employees, provided an update on the talks, saying “talks have failed.”

The two sides have until 12:01 a.m. Friday to work out an agreement and avert a strike that would be the first in LCBO history.

The state-owned corporation has announced that all 685 stores will remain closed for two weeks if workers walk out on Friday. If the strike continues, only 30 LCBO stores nationwide will be open for in-store shopping on July 19, but only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays with “restricted hours.”

The LCBO noted that during the potential strike, customers will still be able to purchase alcohol online through its website and mobile app and have it delivered to their homes for free.

The focus of the collective bargaining negotiations was the Ford government’s plans to expand alcohol sales.

“They want to accelerate the expansion of private alcohol sales for the benefit of a select few, including wealthy CEOs and large supermarket and convenience chains like Loblaws and Circle K,” the OPSEU said in a June 28 statement.

“We have put forward a better vision where the LCBO grows with Ontario to meet demand and improve convenience – by opening more stores, including LCBO Express locations, extending hours and expanding warehousing and e-commerce.”

Meanwhile, the state-owned company has said its focus is on “reaching a deal that is fair to the bargaining unit’s employees and helps the LCBO continue to serve Ontario effectively and efficiently in a new market.”