Ontario Premier’s strategic move amid liquor labor dispute

Last week, Ontario Premier Doug Ford shared an online clip with a message about his Canadian area.

Premier Ford’s Video Message

What initially seemed like a typical political advertisement featured Premier Doug Ford in a casual black polo shirt and a blue apron, grilling burgers with cans of beer nearby.

“It’s summertime in Ontario,” Ford declared with a smile into the camera. However, this video marked a strategic maneuver amid a heated labor dispute affecting liquor sales across Canada’s most populous province.

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Launch of Interactive Map

The premier’s video introduced an interactive map highlighting local breweries, wineries, and distilleries. This was a calculated move during the ongoing strike by workers at Ontario’s liquor retailer, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO).

Historic Strike at LCBO

For the first time in its history, the LCBO’s more than 9,000 employees walked off the job on July 5 after negotiations for a new collective agreement between their union, the Ontario Public Services Employees Union (OPSEU), and Ford’s government broke down.

Consequently, all 650 LCBO stores were shuttered for at least two weeks.

Negotiations Resume

This week, OPSEU returned to the bargaining table with the province. However, talks resumed only after Premier Ford promised to expedite plans to allow canned cocktails in privately-run retailers, a major sticking point for the union.

Tentative Deal and Continued Dispute

On Friday, there was a brief moment of optimism when OPSEU announced a tentative deal that would reopen liquor stores in a few days.

However, during a two-minute news conference, the union backtracked, accusing Ford’s government of refusing to sign their return-to-work order. “We were prepared to come here to announce a deal,” said union spokesperson Katie Arnup. “We do not have a deal. The strike continues.”

LCBO’s Response

In response, the LCBO accused the union of negotiating in “bad faith,” introducing new financial demands that should have been resolved at the bargaining table.

The LCBO also vowed to file an unfair labor complaint against the union, indicating that the dispute is far from over.

The ongoing labor strife has cast a spotlight on Ontario’s unique and, according to some, outdated liquor control system, as the province grapples with the impact on summer alcohol sales.