LCBO workers vote 97% in favour of strike, union says

More than 8,000 members of a union representing LCBO workers have voted in favour of going on strike.

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) says 97 per cent of members who took part in the vote, were in favour of a strike. Some 8,060 LCBO workers participated — roughly 86 per cent — making it their largest strike vote ever. 

"Your bargaining team is back at the table this week. Armed with this powerful strike vote, we will reinforce our key demands in this round," an announcement on the union's website on Saturday reads.

"So far the LCBO has refused to bargain. Now, we'll tell them [and Doug Ford] exactly what they need to offer to avoid strike action."

OPSEU held the strike vote for its members from Wednesday to Saturday. 

The union has not said when the potential job action could begin. It said it is holding a meeting on Monday to provide bargaining and strike timeline updates.

In a statement released Sunday, LCBO said it does not want a strike, adding that it will continue negotiations to reach an agreement with the union. 

"In the event that we cannot reach an agreement and OPSEU begins a strike, we are putting measures in place to ready our business and ensure continued customer service," LCBO said.

The province's primary liquor retailer said it has several bargaining dates scheduled this week.

The union delivered a notice to bargain in January ahead of the March 31 expiration of its collective agreement with the LCBO.

Ministry calls vote to strike 'disappointing'

Colin Blachar, press secretary for Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy, called the potential job action "disappointing," adding that it "threatens people's ability to enjoy their summers," in an statement to CBC News on Sunday.

"It's never been more clear that Ontario consumers need and deserve the same choice and convenience every other Canadian enjoys," Blachar said.

"While we hope OPSEU puts consumers first by working constructively at the negotiating table toward a deal, we have never been more committed than we are now to delivering on our promise to deliver more choice and convenience with beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink beverages in convenience, grocery and big box stores."

The vote comes after documents obtained by Radio-Canada revealed that Ontario Premier Doug Ford's order to the LCBO to bring back paper bags caught the provincial liquor store's senior executives off guard and sent its management scrambling to procure new supply.

The province also recently announced convenience stores, big box outlets and some gas stations will be able to sell beer, wine and other ready-made drinks starting in September.