The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) has provided a contingency plan should it not agree on a new contract with the union representing its employees.
Talks continue between the Crown corporation and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), which is in a legal strike position as of 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 5.
The LCBO has indicated that it is planning to continue with business should a work stoppage take place.
"While LCBO's focus remains on achieving a deal that is fair to bargaining unit employees and helps the LCBO continues to operate effectively and efficiently for Ontario in a new marketplace, OPSEU has clearly signaled its intent to strike," read a release from the LCBO Thursday evening. "The LCBO has an obligation to be ready for any potential strike action and remains committed to providing the best service we can during this time."
Should a strike occur, the LCBO will close all physical locations for 14 days, to allow it to transition to a different operations model.
On Friday, July 19, 30 locations across Ontario will open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with limited staff available for in-person shopping.
The LCBO will continue to fulfill wholesale orders. Beer, wine, liquor, and other alcoholic beverages will still be available at The Beer Store and private businesses across Ontario. The LCBO's mobile app and website will continue to accept home delivery requests.
"Recognizing the impact of a strike on distribution and operations, the LCBO will need to institute reasonable caps on products in-store and online," read the release.
OPSEU members have been working without a contract since their previous one expires on March 31.
While wages and benefits are the usual sticking points, the union said its main concern is job security, with the provincial government's plan to expand the sale of alcoholic beverages. The OPSEU has also stated that no one is interested in a strike.
"Premier [Doug] Ford is trying to sell us a bad deal, one that hands over more of the alcohol market to big grocers and convenience chains like Loblaws and Circle K," said the OPSEU's Colleen MacLeod on June 18. "What will that mean? More expensive booze. Heck, it might even bring in surge pricing."
Beginning September 5, any licenced convenience store in Ontario may start selling beer, wine, coolers, and ready-to-drink alcoholic products.
-with files from Maureen Revait