LCBO will be closed for 2 weeks after negotiations breakdown

More than 9,000 Ontario liquor store workers are set to go on strike just after midnight Friday (July 5) after talks broke down between the union representing workers and the provincial government.

In a press conference just hours before the 12:01 a.m. deadline, representatives of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) blamed Ontario Premier Doug Ford and his government for the breakdown in talks.

“Tonight, Ford’s dry summer begins,” said Colleen Macleod, chair of OPSEU’s liquor board employees bargaining team.

“More than 9,000 LCBO workers will be out on strike as of 12:01 a.m.”

The LCBO has said that if a strike takes place, all locations will close for 14 days and after that point, if the strike continues, the Crown corporation will open 30 stores three days a week with limited hours.

The workers are seeking wage increases and more full-time jobs, saying part-time roles have become 70 per cent of their workforce.

The union is also fearful of job losses after Premier Doug Ford’s government announced plans to open up the alcohol market to allow convenience stores and all grocery stores to sell beer, wine, and ready-to-drink cocktails.

If LCBO workers do strike, shoppers can expect store closures followed by significantly reduced shopping hours at a limited number of locations.

With files from Canadian Press