Historic Two-Week LCBO Strike Begins Today in Ontario

July 5, 2024 TruthUSA

More than 9,000 Ontario liquor store employees walked off the job on July 5, marking the first Liquor Control Board of Ontario strike in the province’s history.

The strike will result in the closure of LCBO stores for two weeks, the Crown corporation said in a July 5 press release. If the strike goes past the 14-day mark, the province will open 32 LCBO retail stores for in-store shopping Friday through Sunday with limited hours in effect.

Talks between the provincially owned LCBO and the Ontario Public Sector Employees Union (OPSEU) broke down on July 4, with concerns about the government’s decision to allow the sale of coolers and other ready-to-drink beverages in convenience, grocery, and big box stores taking centre stage.

The union is accusing the government of allowing profits that traditionally went to the LCBO to be given to corporations and private owners.

“Doug Ford wants to make life better for his wealthy friends. It’s why he’s wasting upwards of a billion dollars of our money to fast-track privatized alcohol sales and hand more of the public revenues generated by the LCBO over to the CEOs and big box grocery and convenience chains like Loblaws and Circle K,” said OPSEU President JP Hornick in a July 4 press release.

“We told Ford not to ruin everybody’s summer, but now he’s … forced a dry summer for Ontarians by refusing to offer a deal that would be good for LCBO workers and Ontario.”

Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy’s office said the province is “disappointed” talks have broken down.

“We urge OPSEU to return to the negotiating table and work towards a deal that prioritizes Ontario consumers and producers,” a statement emailed to The Epoch Times said, adding that government plans for alcohol sales will move forward.

“We are more committed than ever to fulfilling our promise of choice and convenience by expanding access to beer, cider, wine, and ready-to-drink beverages in convenience, grocery, and big-box stores starting later this summer,” the statement said.

While the union is describing the province’s phased expansion of alcohol sales as detrimental to the LCBO and the public services funded by its revenues, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) said the move is “very much supported” by small businesses.

Ryan Mallough, CFIB vice-president of legislative affairs for Ontario, told The Epoch Times it will be a boon for small independently owned convenience stores in particular, but it will also benefit the customer.

“It makes sense that the government went that direction,” he said, adding that it’s “a little strange” that the issue has become such a major hangup for the union in its negotiations with the province.

Impact on Business

The strike not only makes it more difficult for some consumers to buy alcohol, it also impacts restaurants, bars, and other such businesses that serve alcohol to customers.

The LCBO said it has contingency plans to “help minimize disruption as much as possible and ensure that our products remain available” to its roughly 18,000 restaurant and bar wholesale customers.

“We will be operating our business, but it is not business as usual,” the corporation said in a press release.

Despite assurances from the LCBO, Mr. Mallough said businesses are nervous about how the strike could impact access to necessary products.

“The LCBO indicated that there would be a mechanism in place for restaurants to continue to get distribution but we’re very scant on the details in terms of how that would work,” said Mr. Mallough, adding that currently there are more questions than answers on how supply will work.

Many distilleries, meanwhile, are “totally cut off” because the LCBO is “very much their main channel of sales,” he said.

While the strike has many disadvantages for business owners, Mr. Mallough pointed out that it’s the perfect time for consumers to support small businesses.

“There are a lot of fantastic distilleries, vineyards, and craft breweries across Ontario. It’s a very good opportunity to shop local,” he said, pointing out that many of them have store fronts or online stores.

A range of alcoholic beverages can also be purchased from licensed grocery stores, LCBO Convenience Outlets, the Beer Store, and other private retailers across the province.

Tara MacIsaac contributed to this report.

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