Picketers rallied near Guelph LCBO locations this morning after the strike deadline passed at 12:01 a.m. Friday and workers hit the picket lines.
Approximately 10,000 LCBO workers are on strike.
Roughly 15 people were out picketing at the corner of Stone Road and Scottsdale Drive.
Cars honked as they drove by the rally and Ontario Public Sector Employees Union (OPSEU) members whistled in reply.
“After several months of collective bargaining with the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) in hopes of reaching a fair and equitable agreement, LCBO is disappointed that the union has initiated a strike – the first in our long history in Ontario,” read a statement on the LCBO website.
On Google, the business hours for all Guelph LCBO locations read "temporarily closed."
All LCBO retail locations will be closed for 14 days. Shoppers can shop online but are limited to two spirits, 12 wine products, and 12 beer, cider or ready-to-drink beverages.
If the strike persists after 14 days, 32 retail locations will open starting July 19. The locations will have limited hours on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
“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,” said on the LCBO negotiations website.
On Thursday, a union spokesperson said they were committed to bargaining a good deal for workers, according to Canadian Press.
LCBO workers are looking for wage increases and more full-time jobs since they said part-time roles have become 70 per cent of their workforce, continued the Canadian Press article.
All while Premier Doug Ford announced plans for convenience stores and grocery stores to sell beer, wine and ready-to-drink beverages. The union fears job losses because of this, said in the article.
OPSEU Guelph local 232 president didn't immediately return a request for comment.
