More than 9,000 Ontario liquor store employees have gone on strike for the first time ever after bargaining talks between their union and the Crown corporation broke down last night ahead of the 12.01am strike deadline.
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) is seeking higher wages, more full-time jobs, and language in their collective agreement which would protect existing jobs and the future of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO).
A key sticking point in the negotiations is the sale of pre-mixed drinks such as coolers and seltzers at convenience and grocery stores.
"Tonight, (Premier Doug) Ford's dry summer begins," chair of the bargaining team Colleen MacLeod told reporters at a news conference on Thursday evening.
The LCBO in a statement urged the union to return to the bargaining table.
“We remain hopeful that we can quickly reach an agreement that is fair to our employees, while enabling the LCBO's continued success in a changing marketplace,” it said.
As a result of the strike, all LCBO stores in the province will be closed.
Should a deal not be reached in two weeks, select stores will reopen on July 19 and operate three days a week – Friday, Saturday and Sunday – with limited hours.
Consumers can still shop online at the LCBO for Home Delivery, subject to product limits.
12:01am, it's official: LCBO workers are on strike across the province! ????. Fighting for a better Ontario where public revenues stay in public hands. Welcome to Doug Ford's dry summer ????????#LCBOWorkersFightBack #KeepItPublic #ONpoli pic.twitter.com/cvLaVo7xyb
— OPSEU (@OPSEU) July 5, 2024