LCBO workers could be on strike this summer

DAN CEARNS The Standard

DURHAM/KAWARTHA LAKES: This summer could see employees of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) hitting the picket lines.

Recently, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) announced that 97 percent of members voted in favour of strike action. This means LCBO employees could be in a legal strike position as of 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 5th.

“LCBO workers don’t want a dry summer; we love how busy it is and being a part of Ontarians’ celebrations,” OPSEU bargaining chairperson Colleen MacLeod said in a statement. “But we can’t stand by while Doug Ford gives away the LCBO’s revenues to big box and convenience chain CEOs. It’s on Premier Ford and the LCBO to make sure public services and good jobs don’t get left behind.”

OPSEU President JP Hornick described in his own statement what the union is looking for with these bargaining agreement negotiations.

“We envision a future where the LCBO grows with Ontario,” he stated. “We could improve convenience by expanding public LCBO retail locations and hours. That would not only grow the LCBO’s revenues, which pay for our health care and education but also create good jobs in communities across our province.”

The LCBO has requested a mediator be appointed to help move negotiations forward.

“The LCBO remains committed to achieving a deal at the bargaining table without a strike by employees. We have several bargaining dates this week where we will resume negotiations with a focus on achieving a renewal collective agreement with OPSEU, which is fair for our unionized employees and helps the LCBO operate efficiently and effectively for Ontarians in a changing marketplace,” an LCBO press release, sent out on Monday, June 17th, stated. “To assist the parties, the LCBO has requested OPSEU agree to the appointment of a mutually agreed upon third-party mediator to join the parties at bargaining as soon as possible.”

In advance of a possible strike, the LCBO has announced they are extending hours at their stores from Thursday, June 27th to Thursday, July 4th. The stores will open at 9:30 a.m., and many will stay open until 10 p.m.