Plans by the LCBO to reopen 32 stores on a limited basis amid an ongoing strike by unionized workers have been scrapped in favour of redeploying staff to help with online orders and to provide more support for businesses.
In a statement posted on an LCBO negotiations update website Sunday afternoon, agency staff said they moved to take orders online and orders have been fulfilled within a week.
The statement called the pivot a “success” and it said there is “confidence” to keep filling online orders, but it comes amid recent complaints from some in the hospitality industry about getting the selection of products they need.
“We will be re-allocating the personnel that were planned to open LCBO retail stores for in-store shopping to other parts of the operations to further enhance support for bars, restaurants and other businesses. This means LCBO retail stores will no longer be open for the duration of the strike,” LCBO staff wrote.
Without publicly sharing details, the statement said the move would “improve how [the LCBO] serve(s) Ontario bars and restaurants to help increase product selection, availability, and expedited delivery.” It went on to say information would be shared with customers directly.
“We would like to thank customers for their flexibility and patience as we continue to strive to meet the expected service timelines,” the statement said.
“We want this strike to end, remain committed to reaching an agreement with OPSEU, and encourage them to respond to our fair offer.”
The LCBO had a plan to reopen five stores just for restaurants and bars on an appointment-only basis, but that stopped last week. The agency cited threats of pickets by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), which is the union that represents thousands of frontline LCBO workers.
The original plan was to reopen a select number of stores two weeks after the strike began. Workers have been off the job since July 5.
LCBO statement on store openings and the customer experience https://t.co/RLkp2MXByY
— LCBONEWS (@LCBONEWS) July 14, 2024