Spirits available for purchase at Island’s five ‘convenience outlets’
ONTARIO—LCBO workers took to the picket lines last Friday igniting a province-wide strike that has rattled Ontario. Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) president JP Hornick declared, “This is our line in the sand and we are making history,” at a fiery news conference and rally attended by around 80 supporters at the corner of Bay and Bloor Streets in Toronto.
The strike, involving over 9,000 LCBO employees, began at midnight on Friday following a breakdown in contract negotiations. The workers are demanding job security in response to Premier Doug Ford’s controversial expansion plans for alcohol sales. Ford announced last year that by 2026, convenience stores and all grocers in the province would be allowed to sell beer, wine, cider, and ready-to-drink cocktails, starting this September.
This unprecedented strike marks the first in the LCBO’s over 100-year history. Mr. Hornick accused the Ford government of attempting to “reduce the meaningfulness of the LCBO and the work that we do,” claiming it jeopardizes public safety. The rally crowd applauded his statements fervently.
In its 2023 annual report, the LCBO stated that the retailer generated $2.58 billion in revenue from alcohol sales, which supported critical services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Additionally, the LCBO made charitable donations totaling over $14.6 million to support the health and well-being of Ontario’s diverse communities.
Critics of Doug Ford’s decision to privatize alcohol sales argue that the LCBO already provides convenient shopping options through its 685 retail stores, as well as 449 grocery stores and 389 LCBO Convenience Outlets that they supply. They believe that privatization will negatively impact consumers and primarily benefit individuals such as the billionaire Weston family, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
The contentious expansion is set to begin in less than a month, with grocery stores able to sell ready-to-drink cocktails starting in August, and convenience stores following on September 5. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario has already issued 2,813 convenience store licenses. OPSEU is also pushing for wage increases and more full-time positions, noting that 70 percent of their members currently hold part-time and casual roles.
The LCBO countered by stating that half of casual workers are guaranteed at least 1,000 working hours a year and that their most recent proposal addressed many of the workers’ demands. However, the union did not make a counter-offer. “We remain hopeful that we can quickly reach an agreement that is fair to our employees while enabling the LCBO’s continued success in a changing marketplace,” the LCBO said in an emailed statement.
Mr. Hornick urged Ontarians to purchase alcohol exclusively from LCBO outlets to support good jobs in their communities. “For every drink that you buy outside of an LCBO, you are reducing good jobs in your communities,” he asserted.
The rally, which began at 12:45 pm, was briefly interrupted by a downpour of rain, but the strikers’ resolve remained unshaken. Ontarians are bracing for significant disruptions to their weekend plans as nearly 10,000 LCBO workers continue their strike.
Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy’s office expressed disappointment over the failed negotiations, urging OPSEU to return to the table and prioritize Ontario consumers and producers. The LCBO accused the union of focusing solely on the expansion of alcohol sales, calling for resumed talks. However, the strike, a bold challenge to Ford’s government, appears set to persist, with OPSEU determined to hold their ground.
While the LCBO outlets are closed, the agency stores, now called ‘convenience outlets,’ remain open for business. On Manitoulin these include Ward’s Store in Tehkummah, Island Foodland in Mindemoya, Buie’s in Spring Bay, Bridal Veil Variety in Kagawong and the Meldrum Bay General Store. The Island’s two craft breweries, Split Rail and Manitoulin Brewing Co., and the Beer Store outlet are also open to customers.
