LCBO, workers quiet as midnight strike deadline passes
A strike deadline came and went early Monday morning, with no news from either the LCBO or the union representing its employees. Workers have said a strike is possible just before Canada Day.
Workers have previously said a strike is possible before Canada Day.
A conciliator recently imposed a media blackout on the negotiations, which have focused on scheduling and job security for the LCBO's unionized workers. Some 8,000 workers have been without a contract since March 31. In April, workers voted 93 per cent in favour of a mandate to strike.
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About 80 percent of the organization's workers are part-time and many of worked for years without benefits, their union says.
'We do not want a strike'
The LCBO has countered, saying the company's workers are some of the best paid in the retail industry.
"We do not want a strike... we want a decent contract that addresses quality of life workplace issues at the LCBO," OPSEU union president Warren (Smokey) Thomas said ahead of the deadline.
"It's rather timely and ironic that the premier's [got this] changing workplace review, which has a lot of very good recommendations in it... and yet the management of the LBCO, the very issues they're pushing [are] more part-time work, shorter shifts," he said.
In a video statement earlier this month, Soleas said the LCBO had made progress at the bargaining table and pointed to the quality employment offered by the organization.
"We're proud of the good jobs we offer at the LCBO and remain committed to reaching a deal that is fair to our employees, our customers and the taxpayers of Ontario," he said.
In the event of a labour disruption, the LCBO had said it was planning to provide "some level of service" across the province. But OPSEU has said the LCBO would have trouble stocking any stores it keeps open because unionized workers control the warehouses.
