The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) has reached a back-to-work agreement with the union, and stores are set to reopen on Tuesday, July 23.
Initially, a tentative deal was announced on July 19, but the union later made additional monetary demands, prompting the LCBO to accuse them of bad-faith bargaining.
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) clarified that the proposal they presented was a back-to-work plan and not part of the tentative agreement. They expected the LCBO to provide an alternative offer to facilitate the return of workers.
A statement released on July 20 indicated that the issues between LCBO and the union have been resolved.
OPSEU informed its members about the tentative agreement late on July 19.
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“This tentative agreement safeguards valuable jobs in every community and the public revenues generated by the LCBO,” said Colleen MacLeod, chair of the bargaining team.
OPSEU, representing over 9,000 liquor store employees in the province, continues to criticize the government’s decision to allow the sale of ready-to-drink beverages in various stores.
“The workers have clearly expressed that Doug Ford’s plan to expand alcohol sales threatened jobs and public revenues,” Ms. MacLeod mentioned in the union’s statement.
The government defends the expansion as a move to provide choice, convenience, and support to beverage producers in the province.
Ten days into the strike, the government announced the early sale of ready-to-drink beverages and large beer pack sizes in convenience and grocery stores.
450 grocery stores were permitted to commence selling beer, cider, and wine ahead of the previously scheduled date of August 1.
LCBO employees went on strike on July 5, resulting in the closure of 669 locations across Ontario.
Jennifer Cowan contributed to this article.
