LCBO union warns of 'dry summer' as it announces July 5 strike date

LCBO employees will be in a legal strike position on July 5, according to its union.

LCBO employees will be in a legal position to strike on July 5, according to its union.

The union representing approximately 10,000 LCBO workers requested a no-board report from the Ontario Ministry of Labour on Tuesday, starting a 17-day countdown to strike on July 5 at 12:01 a.m.

“We chose this date because we did not want to impact the first long weekend of the summer,” Liquor Board Employees Division Bargaining Team Chair Colleen MacLeod said at a news conference on Tuesday.

“Let's make this clear. LCBO employees also do not want a dry Ontario for the summer.”

If no deal is reached in the eight bargaining dates scheduled in just over two weeks, the union said it will go on strike. This comes after 97 per cent of LCBO employees voted overwhelmingly in favour of a mandate to walk off the job. However, MacLeod said the goal is to reach a deal.

The primary point of contention between the Crown corporation and LCBO employees is the Ford government’s expansion of alcohol sales.

“I firmly believe that the government is the one who is directing our employer on how to bargain,” MacLeod said.