Labor
Ontario Liquor Stores Shut Down as Workers Begin Strike
- Strike is first in 97-year history of government-run retailer
- Ontarians can still buy wine, beer at private retail outlets
A Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) sign in Toronto.
Photographer: Brent Lewin/Bloomberg
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Workers at Ontario liquor stores have gone on strike for the first time in the 97-year history of the government-owned retailer, prompting the closures of more than 680 stores in Canada’s most populous province.
More than 9,000 unionized employees started the strike early Friday after labor talks between the Ontario Public Service Employees Union and the Liquor Control Board of Ontario fell apart. The union is seeking a new contract after its last agreement expired in March, with job security and hours among key issues as Ontario’s government moves to expand alcohol sales to private retailers.