Work stoppage was in response to government move to advance sale of pre-mixed co*cktails in convenience stores
Author of the article:
The Canadian Press
Sheila Reid and Liam Casey
Published Jul 23, 2024 • Last updated 18hours ago • 3 minute read
![LCBO stores reopen across Ontario after strike but union, province continue sniping (2) LCBO stores reopen across Ontario after strike but union, province continue sniping (2)](https://i0.wp.com/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital/financialpost/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ont-lcbo-strike-20240723.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=288&h=216&sig=v-HWK_lI5N0kSZ6PXeA08w)
TORONTO — Hundreds of Ontario’s liquor stores reopened Tuesday following a strike that lasted more than two weeks, but the fighting between the union representing workers and the government dragged on.
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.
LCBO stores reopen across Ontario after strike but union, province continue sniping Back to video
About 10,000 Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) workers returned Monday to prepare for the opening of nearly 700 stores after they walked off the job on July 5.
Advertisem*nt 2
Story continues below
This advertisem*nt has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, Victoria Wells and others.
- Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.
- Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.
- National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, Victoria Wells and others.
- Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.
- Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.
- National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account.
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
- Enjoy additional articles per month.
- Get email updates from your favourite authors.
Sign In or Create an Account
or
View more offers
Article content
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), which represents LCBO workers, said the labour dispute was largely about Premier Doug Ford‘s plan to allow convenience and grocery stores to sell ready-to-drink co*cktails. The expanded sales, it said, was an existential threat to the workers’ future.
The sniping continued Tuesday as the union took umbrage with Ford’s comments from Monday, when he said the strike should never have happened.
The union said it made “significant gains” as a direct result of the strike.
“LCBO workers are proud of what they achieved in this contract, which wouldn’t have been possible without the strike,” said Colleen MacLeod, chair of the union’s LCBO bargaining unit. “They’re also happy to get back to work serving their communities again.”
The three-year deal, which the LCBO workers ratified over the weekend, sees an eight per cent wage increase over three years, the conversion of about 1,000 casual employees to permanent part-time positions and no store closures over the course of the agreement.
The union said converting those casual positions into 1,000 permanent part-time jobs and the guarantee of no closures for the duration of the contract was not on the table before the strike.
Work
FP Work touches on HR strategy, labour economics, office culture, technology and more.
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Article content
Advertisem*nt 3
Story continues below
This advertisem*nt has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
As part of the reopening, the LCBO said there will no longer be limits placed on online orders, but those orders could take up to three weeks for delivery.
Outside one LCBO in Toronto’s west end, Jay Brafman lambasted both sides for the strike.
“I think (the union) basically held hostage Ontarians and that’s not the right way to get more out of your job,” he said.
Brafman, a fan of the government’s plan to expand alcohol sales into convenience stores, also criticized Ford.
“If he really wanted to show some courage, he would have liquidated the LCBO,” he said.
Brafman, a vodka drinker, was put out during the strike as the LCBO is the main seller of spirits across the province.
“It cost me a ton of money having to go out to bars if I wanted to drink,” he said, adding that he’s happy the stores are open again.
Ford’s previous plan was to get beer, wine and ready-to-drink co*cktails in convenience stores and all grocery stores by 2026, completing a 2018 election campaign promise. But in May he announced that would instead happen this year, capping speculation of an early election that Ford did not outright deny.
Advertisem*nt 4
Story continues below
This advertisem*nt has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Convenience stores will be allowed to sell beer, wine and coolers starting Sept. 5 while newly licensed grocery stores can do so starting Oct. 31.
Recommended from Editorial
- LCBO has bright future, Ford says as strike comes to an end
- Grocery code could help with prices: Kraft Heinz Canada president
- Bank of Canada will have to keep cutting to perk up weary consumers
An “early implementation agreement” with The Beer Store involves the province paying the company up to $225 million to help it keep stores open and workers employed. The province is also giving brewers a rebate on an LCBO fee that normally brings in $45 million a year, and it is giving retailers a 10 per cent wholesale discount.
Article content
Comments
You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.
Create an AccountSign in
Join the Conversation
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.
Trending
- Bank of Canada cuts interest rate for second time and signals more to come
- Bank of Canada cuts interest rates: Read the official statement
- Husband sues wife after his lone, lowball bid for family home rejected amid separation
- Posthaste: How moving populations are 'rapidly reshaping' Canada’s luxury real estate
- Scotiabank sees Bank of Canada rate at 4% by end of 2024
Read Next