LCBO expands its activities just hours before a possible strike

Faced with the looming threat of a possible strike in Ontario, the LCBO announced that it would extend its store opening hours starting this week.

Negotiations are currently taking place between the LCBO and the Ontario Public Service Employees’ Union (OPSEU). The union is in a legal strike position as of 12:01 a.m. on July 5.

The LCBO announces that starting Thursday it will extend the hours of operation of all stores in the province through July 4, with the usual Canada Day closure taking effect on July 1.

All stores will open at 9:30 a.m. and “many” stores will stay open until 10 p.m., the LCBO said. However, opening hours will vary depending on the location.

Customers are asked to check the opening hours of their local stores, which will be updated when the extended opening hours come into effect.

The union is bringing a comprehensive strike mandate to the negotiating table and 97 percent of its members have voted in favor of industrial action if no agreement can be reached by July 5.

Over the years, unionized LCBO workers have always managed to reach an agreement without going on strike, even when they have strongly supported a strike.

LCBO workers voted to strike in 2005, 2009, 2013 and 2017, but were able to agree to a non-strike collective agreement in each of those rounds.

This year, the province’s plan to allow all grocery and convenience stores to sell beer, wine and ready-to-drink cocktails starting this summer is casting a large shadow over negotiations between the LCBO and the approximately 9,000 workers represented by the OPSEU.

The LCBO also said in a press release Monday that staff are doing everything in their power to “maintain inventory levels” but that customers “may want to stock up on spirits and vintage products in particular at this time.”

The press release also states that delivery to stores will be available until June 26, while same-day pickup will be available until July 2.

Customers can also order alcohol through on-demand delivery services through July 4.

If a strike does occur, the LCBO says stores will switch to an “updated operating model” and remain closed for two weeks.

On July 18, after those 14 days, 30 LCBO stores would then begin opening for in-store shopping and would be open three days a week with limited hours.

The company says it will continue to accept orders with free home delivery through its website and app during a possible strike, but that there will be “reasonable caps” on products both in-store and online.