'Ford's dry summer begins': All LCBO stores closed as workers go on strike

All LCBO stores are closed on Friday as thousands of workers hit the picket lines after their union and employer failed to reach an agreement.

All LCBO stores are closed on Friday as thousands of workers hit the picket lines after their union and employer failed to reach an agreement.

The strike is the first in LCBO's history. The Crown corporation has previously announced that its 669 retail stores will not open in the event of a job action.

Hours before the 12:01 a.m. deadline, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), representing more than 9,000 LCBO employees, announced that bargaining talks had broken down and that it was not hopeful that an agreement would be reached.

"We have been very clear that we will not back down in our fight for a strong future for the LCBO and the public services funded by LCBO revenues," Colleen MacLeod, the chair of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) 's bargaining team, told reporters at a news conference on Thursday evening.

After two weeks, on July 19, if workers are still on strike, just 30 LCBO stores will open provincewide for in-store shopping. However, they will only operate on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with "limited hours in effect."

The LCBO noted that customers can still purchase alcohol online through its website and mobile app for free home delivery during the potential strike. However, it warned that a reasonable cap on products will be instituted.

"We understand that a strike is disruptive. We encourage everyone who is feeling frustrated to call on Ford and tell him not to ruin the summer and get back to the LCBO bargaining table with a meaningful commitment to a strong future for the LCBO," MacLeod said.