LCBO strike: Tentative deal reached, stores could reopen in coming days

Thousands of LCBO stores could reopen next week after a tentative deal between striking LCBO workers and the Crown agency was reached.

Both the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) and the LCBO told Global News they had reached an agreement Friday after some 9,000 workers walked off the job on July 5.

The Crown agency said if the deal is ratified by members, the strike would end at 12:01 a.m. on July 22.

“LCBO is now working to prepare our people and operations to return to business as usual. LCBO retail locations will open for in-store shopping on Tuesday, July 23, 2024,” it said in a statement.

“We look forward to welcoming our unionized employees back to work in service of Ontarians.”

Two sides were not talking since the strike began, but resumed discussions at the bargaining table on Wednesday.

OPSEU has said its strike was largely about Premier Doug Ford’s plan to allow convenience and grocery stores to sell ready-to-drink cocktails — a move he yet recently accelerated again this week.

Meanwhile, the LCBO said that its latest contract offer included improvements on wages, benefits and job security, but that the OPSEU announced the strike instead of responding to the offer.

The LCBO has said Ford’s policy is not a matter for the bargaining table, but OPSEU worries that expanded sales of ready-to-drink beverages will threaten their jobs, as previous rounds of alcohol market expansion in Ontario have kept spirits sales exclusively in the LCBO.

OPSEU said Friday the tentative deal will “protect jobs in every community as well as public revenues generated by LCBO sales.”

“Details of the agreement will not be shared until they have been communicated to members, but the union is confident this agreement addresses the needs