Strike averted at LCBO stores

Tentative agreement has been reached to counteract impact of precarious part-time jobs

Drinkers, restaurant and bar owners are breathing a sigh of relief after an LCBO strike was averted early Monday when the liquor monopoly and its unionized employees reached a tentative contract agreement.

So is Finance Minister Charles Sousa, now that the deal with the Ontario Public Service Employees Union has been struck.

“This is good news for LCBO workers and for the people of our province,” he said in a statement.

Some stores were open extended hours over the weekend as customers stocked up in preparation for a potential strike ahead of the Canada Day long weekend.

Union president Warren Thomas said OPSEU recommends liquor store workers, many of whom were concerned about being stuck as parttimers, ratify the deal once voting dates are set.

“I think the members will find it to their satisfaction.”

The union said it would not disclose details of the deal until they are shared with its 8,100 members at the liquor board across the province. Almost six out of seven LCBO workers are considered part-timers.

“I want to thank these workers for taking a stand against the negative impacts of precarious work, which is a sad fact of life for far too many workers today,” Thomas said.

“Across Ontario, far too many people are stuck in low-wage, part-time, contract positions. We saw, over the course of these negotiations, that challenging that precariousness was an issue that resonated for many in the public.”

The LCBO maintained that its wages are generous, with part-timers hitting more than $27 hourly at the top end of the pay scale.

Premier Kathleen Wynne said last week that the LCBO would not be exempt from sweeping new labour reforms that would require employers to pay staff equal pay for equal work, whether they are full-time, part-time or temporary placements.

“Do I think that it’s a good idea for government to set an example in terms of good labour practice? Absolutely, absolutely,” she said.

The LCBO maintained its wages are generous, with part-timers hitting more than $27 hourly at the top end of the pay scale