Only hours until possible LCBO strike
Posted May 16, 2013 06:03:36 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – There are only hours left until Thursday’s midnight strike deadline at the LCBO, with customers around the capital stocking up as a precaution.
The finance minister may be optimistic that stores won’t be closed Friday, but thousands of customers are making purchases just in case.
Several stores extended their hours Thursday night. Call your local store ahead of time if you’re planning to go around closing time.
There hasn’t been a strike in the 86-year history of the LCBO.
LCBO spokeswoman Heather MacGregor said both sides are still at the negotiating table, which she calls a good sign, adding the agency is cautiously optimistic a deal will be reached in time to avoid a walkout.
MacGregor said LCBO management has a contingency plan to try and provide some service in the event of a strike, but couldn’t say which stores could be closed by a walkout.
OPSEU, the union representing the workers, is also hopeful a deal can be reached, but is still preparing for the worst.
The union is concerned about the treatment of part-time workers at the LCBO, with some workers only getting two hours a day.
“When you think there’s going to be a golden rainbow somewhere where you’re going to get full-time and have some consistency, it takes 15 years to get there. With a 15-year wait, we need good jobs now,” OPSEU spokesperson Craig Hadley said earlier this week.
The agency has about 3,700 full-time workers and about 3,800 part-time or casual employees.
Adrianna, who has been part-time for 10 years, thought she was signing up for a full-time job.
“When I initially got hired, I had no idea that it took this long to get full-time. My intention was full-time from the beginning,” she said.
Finance Minister Charles Sousa said the Liberals want to respect collective bargaining rights, but the union representing workers at the government-owned liquor stores must realize there is no money for pay raises.
Sousa said he’s not worried LCBO stores could be closed for the Victoria Day weekend because of a strike.
He said he’s hopeful and confident the two sides will come to an agreement before the long weekend, which is the unofficial start to summer.
Beer stores and private wine stores in grocery stores will not be affected, should there be a strike by LCBO workers. Rural LCBO agency stores in smaller grocery stores would also stay open in the event of a strike. That includes locations in Osgoode, North Gower and Navan.
