LCBO workers to strike July 5 if no deal reached: union
CBC
Workers at Ontario's primary liquor retailer are in a legal position to strike as of July 5, if the union representing the employees does not reach a deal with the company.
At a news conference Tuesday, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), representing nearly 10,000 LCBO workers, said that the no-board report it requested from the Ontario Ministry of Labour on Thursday has been granted. That starts a 17-day countdown to when the union is in legal strike position.
"We've been meeting with LCBO since March and they're not listening ... so something's got to give," said Colleen McLeod, chair of OPSEU'S Liquor Board Employees Division.
"So far, the LCBO has refused to negotiate with us in any meaningful way. They have not engaged with any of our proposals."
The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) workers are seeking wage increases and more full-time jobs, saying part-time roles have become 70 per cent of their workforce.
The union said its workers are set to strike as of 12:01 a.m. on July 5, if no agreement is reached between the two parties.
"We chose this day because we did not want to impact the first long weekend of the summer," McLeod said.
OPSEU announced over the weekend that 97 per cent of workers, who took part in a four-day vote, were in favour of strike action if necessary.
It said the vote marked a record turnout for the union, with 86 per cent of members taking part — translating to some 8,060 LCBO employees.
In its latest statement Tuesday, LCBO management said it does not want a strike to occur.
"OPSEU agreed to LCBO's request for the appointment of a mediator, and we continue to meet the union at the bargaining table this week and have dates set to continue negotiations in July," its latest statement reads.
"Our focus remains on reaching an agreement that is fair to our unionized staff and allows the LCBO to operate effectively and efficiently for the province in a new marketplace."
The LCBO has said it will ensure continued customer service during a work stoppage.
The union delivered a notice to bargain in January ahead of the March 31 expiration of its collective agreement with the LCBO.
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