Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) union members have overwhelmingly voted in favor of a strike, with 93 percent support from the vote held between June 12 and 15. If a new deal is not reached, over 8,000 unionized workers are prepared to strike starting at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 5.
Negotiations between the LCBO and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) are ongoing. Both parties have agreed to the appointment of a mediator, and meetings are scheduled to continue into July. However, the deadline for reaching an agreement is rapidly approaching.
“The LCBO does not want a strike,” stated the agency in a press release on Tuesday. “We continue to meet the union at the bargaining table this week and have additional dates set for July.”
The strike countdown began after the Ontario Ministry of Labour approved a “no board” report. This report, requested by OPSEU, indicates that it is not advisable to appoint a conciliation board at this time.
One of the key issues driving the union’s decision is the government’s approval of beer, wine, and cider sales in grocery stores. This development has raised concerns among union members about job security and the future of LCBO operations.
As the strike deadline looms, LCBO stores have experienced longer lines as customers stock up on supplies. In the event of a strike, the LCBO has assured the public that a contingency plan is in place to ensure customer service remains available