What to know about the potential LCBO strike

Article content

As a potential strike looms for unionized LCBO workers, the Crown corporation is extending its hours and customers are being encouraged to “stock up.”

While collective bargaining remains underway between the LCBO and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), the union will be in a legal strike position as of 12:01 a.m. on July 5.

The LCBO said it is encouraging “customers to shop early and stock up on preferred products,” ahead of the potential strike.

Article content

Beginning Thursday, June 27, all LCBO retail locations will open at 9:30 a.m. and “many” will remain open until 10 p.m. through July 4, though stores will still closed on Canada Day.

Here’s what to know about the potential strike.

What’s motivating the potential strike?

OPSEU and the LCBO have been engaged in contract negotiations since March, with job security being one of the key issues. The union is concerned about the Ontario government’s plan to expand alcohol sales to convenience stores and grocery stores by 2026 and what that might mean for the some 10,000 LCBO workers it represents, as well as public services funded by LCBO revenues.

Earlier this month, in what the union called the “the biggest LCBO strike vote ever,” 97 per cent voted yes to strike action. OPSEU says it has brought proposals to the bargaining table that would “modernize alcohol sales in Ontario, increase convenience, protect good jobs, and allow the province to keep investing the LCBO’s revenues — at least $2.5 billion each year — in public services like health care and education.”

Article content

What are the unions demands?

OPSEU says its core demands are focused on expanding public retail locations and opening hours, expanding LCBO warehousing, logistics and e-commerce capacity in-house, and creating better jobs at the LCBO, including moving from a 70 per cent casual workforce to more permanent part-time and full-time positions.

What will happen if the strike proceeds?

While the LCBO says that it has “measures in place to ensure continued customer service” in the event of a strike, the details aren’t clear.

It has not yet specified whether managers would step in to cover employee roles, the number of stores that would remain operational, including LCBO convenience outlets, or if sales and deliveries to bars and restaurants would be maintained during the strike period.

Where else can alcohol be purchased if the strike proceeds?

In the event of a strike, there are still a number of options for alcohol purchases, including The Beer Store, which is a separate entity and will continue to operate as normal. The same goes for Wine Rack locations, as well as craft breweries, distilleries and wineries.

Meanwhile, grocery stores that already sell beer and wine will be allowed to sell cases of 24 beers starting Aug. 1. Convenience stores can start selling beer, cider and wine as soon as Sept. 5.

Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our newsletters here.

Share this article in your social network