Members prepared to walk off job May 17 if no deal is reached
An ongoing labour dispute between the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) and the union representing its employees has workers threatening strike action next month.
The Ontario Public Service Employees’ Union (OPSEU), which represents about 7,000 LCBO employees, filed an application with the Ontario Ministry of Labour on April 23, indicating its members are prepared to walk off the job on May 17 if an agreement cannot be reached.
Also on April 23, OPSEU requested a “no-board” report, which is a letter from the Ministry stating a Conciliation Board will not be appointed. Once the Ministry issues the report, it will be 17 days before the union will be in a legal strike position.
Outstanding issues include wages, benefits, job security and improvements to health and safety standards.
“We don’t apply for strike deadlines lightly but in this case we have no choice,” OPSEU president Warren Thomas said in a press release. “We are looking to the LCBO to negotiate a deal that recognizes fair jobs for all its employees.”
