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Midnight strike deadline looms at LCBO stores

Media blackout in effect as talks go down to the wire
lcbopicket
There was no word early Sunday evening from the bargaining table as negotiators from the province and OPSEU faced a midnight strike deadline at the LCBO. (File)

There was no word early Sunday evening from the bargaining table as negotiators from the province and OPSEU faced a midnight strike deadline at the LCBO.

Stores in Sudbury and across the province have been open for extended hours since Thursday, anticipating a surge in sales in case of a labour disruption.

The 8,000 unionized LCBO workers, who have been without a contract since March 31, voted 93 per cent in favour of a strike in April. 

A media blackout was imposed on the negotiations Saturday morning, meaning there likely won't be news until either a deal is reached or talks collapse.

Craig Ashbourne, communications officer with OPSEU, said Sunday there was no news and the blackout was still in effect. When a decision comes one way or the other, it will be released on news wires and on their website , Ashbourne said.

At a information picket in May, LCBO workers gathered outside the Marcus Drive store to talk with customers.

"We're here to talk with people and get them to learn why we're here and why we're bargaining for a fair contract," said Jamie Kensley, president of OPSEU Local 681, which represents about 150 workers in Sudbury and the surrounding areas. "We're hoping by engaging with people, they'll support us even more and get to know the big picture as to why we're doing this." 

Some of the big issues include casual workers, some of whom have worked for decades without getting full-time worth with benefits; working conditions; and, expansion of beer and wine sales in grocery and other large retailers.

"Our take is the LCBO belongs to every Ontarian,” Kensley said in May. “It's a public asset. Who gave permission to Wynne to sell it off? It's the same with hydro. They're calling it expansion, but really, it's backdoor privatization."   


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