‘Talks have broken down’: Union not hopeful deal will be reached with LCBO as deadline nears

With a few hours left before the strike deadline, the union representing tens of thousands of LCBO employees says it is not hopeful that a deal will be reached.

In a statement released just after 5 p.m., the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), which represents 10,000 LCBO employees, provided an update on the talks and said “talks have broken down.”

The two sides have until 12:01 a.m. Friday to work out an agreement and avert a strike that would be the first in LCBO’s history.

“LCBO workers are ready to make history. Tonight, (Premier Doug) Ford’s dry summer begins,” OPSEU’s Colleen MacLeod told reporters during a news conference Thursday evening.

“We have been very clear that we will not back down in our fight for a strong future for the LCBO.”

The Crown corporation has said that all 685 stores will be closed for two weeks if workers leave the job on Friday. On July 19, if the strike continues, just 30 LCBO stores will open provincewide for in-store shopping but will only operate on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays with “limited hours in effect.”

The LCBO noted that customers can still purchase alcohol online through its website and mobile app for free home delivery during the potential strike.

Bargaining talks have been centred on the Ford government’s plan to expand alcohol sales.

“We understand that a strike is disruptive. We encourage everyone who is feeling frustrated to call on Ford and tell him not to ruin the summer and get back to the LCBO bargaining table with a meaningful commitment to a strong future for the LCBO,” MacLeod said.

“We are certain that if we had been bargaining with our employer, not the premier, we would have reached a deal, and this strike could have been avoided.”

Meanwhile, the Crown corporation has said its focus was “achieving a deal that is fair to bargaining unit employees and helps the LCBO continue to operate effectively and efficiently for Ontario in a new marketplace.”