For the first time in Ontario history, workers at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) have walked off the job in a labour dispute.
Talks between the Crown corporation and its employees union, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), fell apart late Thursday evening, and at 12:01 a.m. Friday, some 7,000 employees went on strike.
All physical LCBO stores are now closed for two weeks.
OPSEU President J.P. Hornick placed the blame on one person.
"[Premier] Doug Ford wants to make life better for his wealthy friends," said Hornick. "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."
While wages and benefits were among the sticking points in negotiations, the key issue was job security in light of the provincial government's plans to expand alcohol sales to grocery and convenience stores.
"We've been very clear that we won't back down in our fight for a strong future for the LCBO and the public services funded by LCBO revenues," said OPSEU Liquor Board Employees Division Chair Colleen MacLeod.
The LCBO has expressed its discouragement over the walkout.
"The LCBO is disappointed that the union has initiated a strike – the first in our long history in Ontario," read a statement from the LCBO. "LCBO is committed to maintaining the highest standards of service that we can during this challenging time. We have plans in place to help minimize disruption as much as possible and ensure that our products remain available to our valued retail and wholesale customers."
The LCBO said online sales and delivery continue, and wholesale accounts will still be honoured. However, limits have been placed on online orders.
If there is no agreement after two weeks, a select number of LCBO stores will reopen on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only, with reduced hours.
Alcohol sales at LCBO Convenience Outlets, Beer Stores, licenced grocery stores, breweries, distilleries, and wineries are not directly affected.
