OPSEU, which represents LCBO workers, announced the strike after talks with the Ford government over the expansion of alcohol sales broke down
Ontarians may find their weekend plans disrupted for the next little while as nearly 10,000 LCBO workers have gone on strike as of Friday at 12:01 a.m.
While worker strikes are nothing new for Ontarians, this is the first time in the 97-year history of the LCBO that a mass strike has occurred. The Ontario Public Service Employees Union, or OPSEU, which represents the LCBO workers, announced the strike after talks with the Ford government over the expansion of alcohol sales to private businesses broke down.
Here is everything Ontarians should know about what caused the strike, what the union wants, and how it will affect consumers.
What caused the LCBO strike?
“Tonight, Ford’s dry summer begins.”
Colleen MacLeod, chair of OPSEU’s liquor board employees division bargaining team
What do the LCBO strikers want?
“We see the writing on the wall. Under Ford’s plan we could lose thousands, thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in public revenues. We said that to the employer and you know what they said back? ‘We can’t guarantee your future,’” said MacLeod. She then added: “Tonight, Ford’s dry summer begins.” MacLeod further pinned the strike on Ford’s alleged desire to enrich his “wealthy friends” by handing over public revenue to big box chains like Circle K and 7-Eleven.
Has the Ontario government responded?
How long will the LCBO strike last?
Where is alcohol still on sale?
Ontarians can still purchase alcoholic beverages at grocery stores that are already selling the products, as well as bars or pubs and The Beer Store locations. The LCBO says its website and mobile app “will continue to accept orders for free home delivery anywhere in Ontario for the duration of a strike,” adding it will “institute reasonable caps” on sales.
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