A potential LCBO strike has been averted, at least for now.
Up to 7,200 unionized LCBO employees were set to walk off the job as of 12:01am Wednesday, but a con
tract extension was put in place with just half an hour to spare.
The extension is reportedly in effect until a deal is reached or one party walks away from the table. As negotiations continue the current collective agreement will temporarily remain in place.
"We would not be extending the strike deadline if we did not feel that we can reach a collective agreement through negotiation," said Vanda Klumper, chair of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union bargaining team. "There remain problems to be ironed out, but if the LCBO is committed to reaching a settlement it can be done.
"Obviously we are not going to subject our customers to the inconvenience of a work stoppage just because the negotiations ran out of time," she said. "Both teams are working diligently and we hope that our work will pay off before long."
The threat of a strike stems from members of the OPSEU upset that the government body is hiring out more casual workers and phasing out full-time positions.
"This isn't about big pay raises; this isn't about anything along those lines," outlined OPSEU representative Craig Hadley. "This is about protecting the full-time jobs that we have."
But the LCBO has countered its business is cyclical and says it doesn't need the extra people all year round. It argues making them part time only makes economic sense and is a better use of taxpayers' dollars. Just under 60 per cent of current employees are casual workers.
There has never been a strike in the history of the company.
Some shoppers were stocking up Tuesday, others were turning to other outlets for their alcohol needs. Even in the event of a strike, Beer Stores would not be affected and neither would private wine retailers.
But in light of the potential work stoppage would consumers considering making the LCBO private?
"I think so," said Earl Law. "I enjoy being in France, when you can just go into a grocery store and buy the stuff."
"There's good things and bad things," countered Bruce Robertson.
"We've got the biggest selection of booze in the world. At the same time, you pay a lot of tax and you deal with their stuff."
It's the shopping experience that draws Elizabeth to the LCBO.
"It's pleasant to come here and I think they're doing a good job."
The LCBO says no matter what it has a contingency plan in place, but the details have not been released. Managers, who are not part of the union, would take over some storefront duties.
Privately-run LCBO agency stores in rural areas would stay open as usual.