Liquor distributor, workers reach tentative deal in Ontario

Thousands of union workers in Canada have reached a tentative agreement with the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO), reports the CBC.

If the deal was ratified over the weekend, 10,000 workers were supposed to return to the job on Monday and LCBO stores were expected to be open on Tuesday.

The tentative deal almost fell through on Friday after the LCBO allegedly refused to sign a return-to-work protocol. It is also being reported that the LCBO was planning to file an unfair labor practice complaint because the union came up with new monetary demands after signing the tentative agreement.

The union wanted striking workers to be compensated for time lost during the strike.

The LCBO said the return-to-work protocol does not contain anything new regarding money, but it does include wage increases of 8% over three years, an additional 7.8% for workers who are the lowest paid, and a special wage adjustment for some trade positions.

In addition, 1,000 casual workers will become permanent part-time workers, 60 full-time employees will be hired for warehouse operations, and part-timers who work 1,000 and 1,300 hours will now receive benefits.

Mental health benefits and severance provisions are also included in the deal.

The expansion of alcohol sales to convenience and grocery stores in Ontario was the main reason behind the strike.

Starting last Thursday, grocery stores licensed to sell beer and wine were to be also able to sell ready-to-drink cocktail beverages and larger cases of beer.

The union thought the expansion would threaten jobs. The LCBO said the tentative agreement guarantees no retail stores will close because of the marketplace expansion.