LCBO Announces Agreement, Anticipates Stores to Reopen Next Week
The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) has reached an agreement with the union, and stores are set to reopen on Tuesday, July 23.
Initially, a tentative deal was announced on July 19, but later the same day, the union made additional monetary demands, which the LCBO considered to be bad-faith bargaining.
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) clarified that the proposal they presented was a back-to-work plan and not part of the tentative agreement. They expected the LCBO to make a counteroffer to get workers back on the job.
A statement released on July 20 indicated that the issues between the LCBO and the union have been resolved.
OPSEU informed its members about the tentative agreement late on July 19.
Colleen MacLeod, chair of the bargaining team, noted, “This tentative deal protects good jobs in every community and the public revenues generated by the LCBO.”
Despite the agreement, OPSEU expressed disapproval of the government’s decision to allow the sale of ready-to-drink beverages in convenience, grocery, and big box stores.
Ms. MacLeod remarked, “The workers have made it clear to Ontarians that Doug Ford’s alcohol-everywhere plan directly threatened jobs and public revenues.”
The government defended the expansion as a public policy measure to enhance consumer choice, convenience, and support beverage producers in the province.
After ten days of the strike, the government announced the early availability of ready-to-drink beverages and large beer packs in convenience and grocery stores.
The LCBO strike, which began on July 5, led to the closure of 669 locations across Ontario.
Jennifer Cowan contributed to this article.
