Friends Read Free. More than 9,000 Ontario liquor store employees walked off the job on July 5, marking the first Liquor Control Board of Ontario strike in the province s history. Talks between the provincially owned LCBO and the Ontario Public Sector Employees Union OPSEU broke down on July 4, with concerns about the government s decision to allow the sale of coolers and other readytodrink beverages in convenience, grocery, and big box stores taking centre stage. The union is accusing the government of allowing profits that traditionally went to the LCBO to be given to corporations and private owners. We told Ford not to ruin everybody s summer, but now he s forced a dry summer for Ontarians by refusing to offer a deal that would be good for LCBO workers and Ontario. . Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy s office said the province is disappointed talks have broken down. We urge OPSEU to return to the negotiating table and work towards a deal that prioritizes Ontario consumers and producers, a statement emailed to The Epoch Times said, adding that government plans for alcohol sales will move forward. We are more committed than ever to fulfilling our promise of choice and convenience by expanding access to beer, cider, wine, and readytodrink beverages in convenience, grocery, and bigbox stores starting later this summer, the statement said. While the union is describing the province s phased expansion of alcohol sales as detrimental to the LCBO and the public services funded by its revenues, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business CFIB said the move is very much supported by small businesses. Ryan Mallough, CFIB vicepresident of legislative affairs for Ontario, told The Epoch Times it will be a boon for small independently owned convenience stores in particular, but it will also benefit the customer. The LCBO said it has contingency plans to help minimize disruption as much as possible and ensure that our products remain available to its roughly 18,000 restaurant and bar wholesale customers. Despite assurances from the LCBO, Mr. Mallough said businesses are nervous about how the strike could impact access to necessary products. The LCBO indicated that there would be a mechanism in place for restaurants to continue to get distribution but we re very scant on the details in terms of how that would work, said Mr. Mallough, adding that currently there are more questions than answers on how supply will work. Many distilleries, meanwhile, are totally cut off because the LCBO is very much their main channel of sales, he said. While the strike has many disadvantages for business owners, Mr. Mallough pointed out that it s the perfect time for consumers to support small businesses. There are a lot of fantastic distilleries, vineyards, and craft breweries across Ontario. It s a very good opportunity to shop local, he said, pointing out that many of them have store fronts or online stores. A range of alcoholic beverages can also be purchased from licensed grocery stores, LCBO Convenience Outlets, the Beer Store, and other private retailers across the province.
Over 9,000 Ontario liquor store employees went on strike due to concerns about the government allowing sale of alcoholic beverages in other stores. The union accuses the government of favoring corporations over LCBO workers. Despite the strike, Ontario plans to expand alcohol sales for consumer choice. Small businesses support the move, but restaurant owners worry about supply disruptions. Consumers are urged to support local distilleries and breweries during the strike.