LCBO strike: tentative agreement reached, stores could reopen in coming days
Thousands of LCBO stores could reopen next week after tentative deal between strikers LCBO workers and the Crown agency have been concluded.
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) and the LCBO both told Global News they reached an agreement on Friday after some 9,000 workers left his job on July 5th.
The Crown agency said that if the agreement is ratified by members, the strike will end at 00:01 on July 22.
“The LCBO is currently working to prepare its staff and operations for a return to business as usual. LCBO retail locations will open for in-store shopping on Tuesday, July 23, 2024,” it said in a statement.
“We look forward to welcoming our unionized employees back to work, serving Ontarians.”
Negotiations with the LCBO resumed on Wednesday
The two sides have not held talks since the strike began, but resumed talks at the negotiating table on Wednesday.
OPSEU said its strike was primarily related to Premier Doug Ford’s plan to allow convenience and grocery stores to sell ready-to-drink cocktails. a movement that he further accelerated this week.
Meanwhile, the LCBO said its latest contract offer included improvements to wages, benefits and job security, but OPSEU announced the strike instead of responding to the offer.
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The LCBO said Ford’s policy is not an issue for discussion at the bargaining table, but OPSEU is concerned that increased sales of ready-to-drink beverages could threaten their jobs, as previous cycles of alcohol market expansion in Ontario kept spirits sales exclusively at the LCBO.
OPSEU said Friday that the tentative agreement “will protect jobs in every community as well as public revenue generated by LCBO sales.”
“Details of the agreement will not be released until they are shared with members, but the union is confident that this agreement meets the needs of workers and is a victory for all Ontarians,” he said.
“Workers have always been clear: Premier Ford’s plan to distribute alcohol everywhere directly threatened jobs and government revenues. And he forced this strike by calling it quickly in the middle of negotiations.”
Ford has firmly ruled out a rollback on the expansion of ready-to-drink, saying the ship has sailed “halfway across Lake Ontario.”
In addition to accelerating that timeline in the midst of the labour dispute, the Ford government has also released an interactive online map showing consumers where they can purchase alcohol during the disruption.
“We recognize the disruption the strike has caused to our employees, partners and customers who rely on our services, and we thank everyone for their continued patience and understanding as we begin to return to normal operations,” the LCBO said Friday.
“Further details of the agreement will be communicated once it has been ratified. The LCBO also thanks the mediator for his invaluable assistance to the parties.”
Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy, who oversees the LCBO, said in a statement he was “pleased” an agreement had been reached.
“I am pleased that OPSEU and the LCBO have reached a tentative agreement to end the strike. This is a good deal for workers and good news for Ontarians,” he said.
“We look forward to working together to deliver choice and convenience across Ontario.”
— with documents from The Canadian Press
© 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
