Union returning to bargaining table amid LCBO workers’ strike

On the 12th day of the LCBO strike, the union, which represents nearly 10,000 workers, says they will be returning to the bargaining table on Wednesday.

Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) confirmed to CityNews that they will re-enter negotiations with LCBO management, adding that their members will stay on the strike lines until a fair deal is reached.

As they have from the beginning, our bargaining team, on behalf of all LCBO workers, will be bargaining to protect good jobs and public revenue—our key demands,” reads the statement.

They add that they are ready to present a plan to the LCBO on Wednesday and will provide updates on what happens at the table.

“Right now, the team is focused on the task at hand, looking at our proposals to bring to the table tomorrow. They have a clear purpose: protecting good jobs and hundreds of millions in public revenue that are invested into public services.”

LCBO management said they are aware that OPSEU signalled their intent to provide a proposal Wednesday. “We hope that OPSEU is prepared to reach an agreement and end this unnecessary strike,” read their statement.

The announcement comes the same day an ad from the LCBO appeared in newspapers and on television screens saying the strike did not need to happen and that the LCBO has worked hard to avoid it.

Workers walked off the job on Friday, July 5, and have spent the last nearly two weeks picketing LCBO locations and warehouses.

A major sticking point for the union has been the plan to sell beer, wine and ready-to-drink beverages at convenience stores and grocery stores across the province.

OPSEU said the Ford government’s current plan could result in thousands of lost jobs across the province and millions of dollars in public revenue.

On Monday, the provincial government announced it was fast-tracking its alcohol expansion plan to allow grocery stores to sell ready-to-drink beverages as of Thursday rather than August 1.

The accelerated move is part of an already fast-tracked plan to expand alcohol sales in the province. Ford’s previous plan was to have beer, wine, and ready-to-drink cocktails in convenience stores and all grocery stores by 2026, but in May, he announced that it would instead happen this year.