Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) stores were closed across the region on Friday, July 5, as a strike by 9,000 employees of the provincially-owned wholesaler and retailer of liquor, wine, and beer in some communities took to picket lines across Ontario.
After several months of collective bargaining with the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) and the LCBO, talks broke down.
All liquor stores directly owned and operated by the LCBO are closed for 14 days. On July 19, limited LCBO retail stores will open for in-store shopping and operate three days a week (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) with limited hours in effect. LCBO Agency Convenience outlets located in privately owned and operated stores continue to sell liquor and wine.
About 20 LCBO employees who are OPSEU members were picketing outside the Hawkesbury liquor store on Highway 17 during the morning of Friday, July 5. Most of them work at the Hawkesbury location, but some were from the Vankleek Hill and Alfred stores along with one warehouse employee.
OPSEU objects to the provincial government’s decision to permit full-scale sale of wine, beer, and pre-packaged mixed drinks in private stores. The union is concerned it will diminish the revenue the LCBO earns for the provincial treasury, lead to job losses, and eventual privatization.
OPSEU is also concerned about employee benefits and job status. Right now, 70 per cent of LCBO workers are casual. They do not have guaranteed hours, which means most do not have access to benefits, and there are no opportunities to move into permanent part-time and full-time positions.
The Quickie convenience store and MacEwen gas station in L’Orignal includes an LCBO Convenience outlet. An employee there, who could not speak on-the-record, said alcohol sales had already increased early on Friday morning after the store opened at 7 am. The employee said enough products to normally last two weeks were ordered before the strike began, but there was doubt that it would last that long.
Distillery and winery outlet stores are not affected by the LCBO strike. An employee at the Dunrobin Distillery store in Vankleek Hill said business had not increased as of July 5.
In Eastern Ontario, shoppers have the option of buying liquor and wine nearby in Québec. On Friday morning, there was extra signage in the window of the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) store in Grenville indicating the store is open. However, the SAQ is also in contract negotiations with its own employees who are members of the Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN). Further negotiations are scheduled for throughout July.
Brewer’s Retail—better known as The Beer Store, is not affected by the LCBO strike. However, many LCBO stores, including in Vankleek Hill and Alfred, also sell beer. Private stores selling beer are not affected either. Online sales and delivery from the LCBO continue to operate.
