LCBO employees are preparing to go on strike starting July 5, according to their union. The strike would be legal, as the employees have been in a legal strike position since June 26.
The union, known as the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), represents approximately 8,000 LCBO employees. They have been in negotiations with the LCBO for a new collective agreement since March.
According to OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas, the main issues in the negotiations are job security, fair wages, and improved working conditions. Thomas stated that the LCBO has not been willing to address these concerns, leading to the strike action.
The strike would affect all LCBO stores across the province, as well as the LCBO’s online sales and distribution centers. This could potentially disrupt the supply of alcohol to restaurants and bars, as well as to consumers.
In response to the strike announcement, the LCBO released a statement saying that they are committed to reaching a fair and reasonable agreement with their employees. They also stated that they have contingency plans in place to minimize the impact of a potential strike on their customers.
The last time LCBO employees went on strike was in 2009, when they were on strike for three days before reaching a new collective agreement.
If the strike does occur, it would be the first time in over a decade that LCBO employees have taken such action. The union has not yet announced the duration of the strike, but it could potentially last for an extended period of time.
Customers are advised to monitor the situation and plan accordingly, as the strike could have a significant impact on the availability of alcohol in the province. The LCBO and OPSEU are expected to continue negotiations in the coming days in an effort to reach a resolution before the strike deadline.
