TENTATIVE DEAL AVERTS STRIKE BY LCBO WORKERS

A tentative contract agreement has been reached averting a strike by LCBO workers that was set to begin at midnight. The agreement was signed shortly after the strike deadline passed, and was announced in a release from the Ontario Public Service Employees Union. Union president Warren “Smokey” Thomas said details of the accord would not be released before union mem- bers have a chance to examine it over the next few days. A ratification vote has not yet been scheduled, but Thomas said the union’s bargaining team is unanimously recommending members accept the deal. From there, it would go to the LCBO board and the provincial government for ratification. The agreement was negotiated with the help of a mediator.