Strike Underway at LCBO

Retail employees of Ontario’s government-owned monopoly on liquor and most wine sales have been on strike since Friday, July 5.

The LCBO website offered this update, “After several months of collective bargaining with the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) in hopes of reaching a fair and equitable agreement, LCBO is disappointed that the union has initiated a strike – the first in our long history in Ontario.

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.

We will be operating our business, but it is not business as usual. We regret the inconvenience and thank you for your patience and understanding.”

On July 16, George Soleas, President & CEO, LCBO stated, “The strike did not need to happen. Let’s end this strike. It’s time to respond to the offer and join us at the table. We are all waiting.”

The 9,000 Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) employees are members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union. After several months of collective bargaining between the union and the LCBO, talks broke down.

All liquor stores directly owned and operated by the LCBO were closed for 14 days. The LCBO initially planned to have 23 retail stores open for in-store shopping, three days a week with limited hours, beginning on July 19. However, on Sunday, July 14, the LCBO announced it had canceled that plan. LCBO Agency Convenience outlets, which are located in privately owned and operated stores, continue to sell liquor and wine.

OPSEU objects to the provincial government’s decision to permit full-scale sale of wine, beer, and pre-packaged mixed drinks in private stores. The union is concerned it will diminish the revenue of approximately CDN $2.5 billion the LCBO earns for the provincial treasury, leading to job losses, and eventual privatization.

OPSEU is also concerned about employee benefits and job status. Right now, 70% of LCBO workers are casual. They do not have guaranteed hours, which means most do not have access to benefits, and there are no opportunities to move into permanent part-time and full-time positions.

In Eastern Ontario, shoppers have the option of buying liquor and wine nearby in Quebec from that province’s government-owned liquor store chain, the Société des Alcools du Québec (SAQ). However, the SAQ is also in contract negotiations with its own employees who are members of the Confédération des Syndicats Nationaux (CSN) union. Further negotiations are scheduled for throughout July.

Brewer’s Retail – The Beer Store, is not affected by the LCBO strike. Online sales and delivery from the LCBO continue to operate.

On July 10, Ontario Premier Doug Ford introduced an online, searchable map that allows consumers to find Agency Convenience outlets, independent distillery outlets, and winery outlets selling alcohol while LCBO employees are on strike and stores are closed. OPSEU criticized the map and said it was a way of undercutting the LCBO and its workers.

The conservative Canadian Taxpayers Federation has suggested the Ontario government temporarily allow liquor sales in grocery stores for the duration of the LCBO strike. OPSEU has criticized that suggestion and said it would only allow the government to privatize liquor sales and lose the revenue from the LCBO that funds other public services.