LCBO urges union to quickly return to the bargaining table

OPSEU members share frustrations over lack of movement in talks

- ROBERT BENZIE AND KRISTIN RUSHOWY

More than 9,000 Ontario Public Service Employees Union members went on strike last Friday, closing the LCBO for the first time in its 97-year history.

We need to talk.

That’s the message from the LCBO to more than 9,000 Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) members whose strike has shuttered 680 liquor stores for a week.

“We are at the table ready for active negotiations to restart today,” the Liquor Control Board of Ontario said in a statement Thursday.

The LCBO’s move came the day after Premier Doug Ford personally intervened in the labour dispute, imploring OPSEU to resume bargaining.

It also followed a heated virtual town hall meeting Wednesday night, where OPSEU members peppered union brass with questions about why they weren’t negotiating right now.

“How come we don’t have any bargaining meetings? They said they are willing to compromise on some stuff — some of us are eager to run our stores again,” said an employee identified only as “Brian.”

“I can speak for 90 per cent of our picket line who are pushing forward daily but growing frustrated at the lack of bargaining,” said another unidentified union member.