LCBO Workers Overwhelmingly Approve Strike with 97% Vote

LCBO workers have voted 97 percent in favor of going on strike.

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), which represents the workers, reported that over 8,000 members participated in the vote. However, they did not specify when potential job action might commence, as they have yet to file a no-board report in their negotiations with the government.

Colleen MacLeod, the head of the union’s bargaining committee, mentioned to CityNews last month that the two sides were “very far apart.”

Negotiations for a new contract have been ongoing since March, with a major sticking point being assurances that jobs will not be lost due to the Ford government’s initiative to sell alcohol in convenience stores.

Premier Doug Ford recently announced that by 2026, sales of beer, wine, cider, and ready-to-drink cocktails will be permitted in convenience stores and all grocery stores. Officials stated that the LCBO would remain the only outlet for purchasing high-alcohol spirits and would continue to serve as a wholesaler.

Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy has previously stated that the government has no plans to privatize the LCBO.