Hundreds of Ontario’s liquor stores will reopen today following a strike that began in early July.
Approximately 10,000 Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) workers returned Monday to prepare for the reopening of nearly 700 stores after walking off the job on July 5.
In addition to reopened retail stores, the LCBO announced that there will no longer be limits on online orders. However, any online orders may take up to three weeks for delivery.
LCBO has bright future, Premier Ford says as two-week-long strike comes to an end
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Smaller bars and restaurants experienced dwindling alcohol supplies as the strike stretched on for two weeks.
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), which represents LCBO workers, had stated that the labour dispute was largely about Premier Doug Ford’s plan to allow convenience and grocery stores to sell ready-to-drink cocktails. The union argued that expanded sales of these beverages would threaten their jobs.
The union secured pay raises, a thousand more permanent jobs for casual workers, and no store closures over the course of the three-year deal.