Heads up, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) may be in a sticky situation after 97 per cent of their workers voted to go on strike.
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), which represents over 9,000 LCBO employees, held the vote from June 12-15 and 8,060 LCBO members voted, with 97 per cent voting in favour of a strike. The union called this a historic turnout.
“This record turnout will send a strong message to Doug Ford and the LCBO that we aren’t backing down in this fight. We’re fighting for a strong future for the LCBO,” reads the OPSEU website.
The Union says the LCBO has refused to bargain and is urging the Crown corporation and Ontario Premier Doug Ford to negotiate to avoid strike action.
“Hey @FordNation & @LCBO: don’t force a dry summer on Ontarians. Support a strong future for the LCBO and offer a fair deal now,” the union posted online.
“LCBO workers are fighting back – for good jobs in every community and to protect public services and stop Ford from giving Ontario’s money to grocery chain CEOs,” the OPSEU website reads.
The liquor control board has shared that it does not want a strike to take place.
“We have several bargaining dates this week where we will resume negotiations with a focus on achieving a renewal collective agreement with OPSEU that is fair for our unionized employees and helps the LCBO operate efficiently and effectively for Ontarians in a changing marketplace,’ the LCBO said in a statement online.
The statement continues on to explain that in the event that a strike does occur, it is taking measures to ready its business and ensure continued customer service.
The union first delivered a bargaining notice at the beginning of the year, as its agreement with the Liquor Control Board was set to expire at the end of March.
According to the union’s website, it will be providing an update on the negotiations, and a strike timeline, tonight at 7:30.
Earlier this spring, the province announced that it will be expanding the places where people in Ontario can buy beer, wine and premixed cocktails at convenience stores and grocery stores ahead of schedule.
READ MORE: Ontario to sell alcohol in convenience stores starting this fall
Starting in August, Ontarians can pick up premixed beverages at grocery stores that already sell wine or beer. New retailers will also be able to sell an increased selection of local, domestic and international alcohol products. All convenience stores will be able to sell beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages as of Sept. 5, while all grocery stores, convenience and big-box stores will be able to see these alcoholic beverages and in “large pack sizes” as of Oct. 31.
