LCBO sets May 17 strike deadline, OCSA encourages alcohol retail expansion
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), representing some 7,000 LCBO workers, has filed an intention to strike on May 17 with the Ontario Minstry of Labour, unless a contract settlement is reached.
The action is in response to an April strike vote, in which 95% voted in favour to strike.
The date falls directly before the Victoria Day long weekend. Previous strike threats from the LCBO has resulted in bare shelves in stores as customers stock up in the event of closure.
The Ontario Convenience Stores Association (OCSA), who represents 7,500 convenience stores across Ontario, responded today in a press release by encouraging Ontarians to consider and support alternatives for modernizing Ontario’s alcohol retailing system.
Free Our Beer hosts an online petition, alongside OCSA’s current petition in many of Ontario’s convenience stores.
“The threat of an LCBO strike highlights the need for Ontario to modernize its system of alcohol retailing – it hasn’t changed since 1927 and Ontario consumers are paying the price today,” said Dave Bryans, CEO of the Ontario Convenience Stores Association. “The LCBO offers a first rate shopping experience, but the prospect of consumers being locked-out because of a union dispute highlights the need to modernize our system and complement what the LCBO does by adding more private retailers. Convenience stores already sell alcohol at over 200 locations in Ontario and an expanded alcohol retail system would provide consumers with more options and convenience.”
Contract negotiations will continue until May 17.
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