Striking liquor store workers voted Sunday to ratify a tentative agreement reached between the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) and their union.
The ratification means the first-ever strike at the LCBO will officially come to an end just after midnight on Monday. LCBO says it plans to reopen all closed retail stores on Tuesday.
“LCBO is pleased that the renewal collective agreement has been ratified by employees,” the LCBO said in a statement on Sunday.
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) said in its own statement that the new, three-year collective agreement will protect good jobs and public revenues generated through LCBO sales.
“We went on strike to protect good jobs and public revenues, and to win more permanent jobs with benefits and guaranteed hours,” said Colleen MacLeod, chair of the OPSEU bargaining team.
“Our members stood strong. They held strong lines, they talked to their communities — and they won.”
Around 10,000 LCBO workers represented by OPSEU walked off the job on July 5, forcing the closure of hundreds of LCBO retail stores and limiting the availability of some alcohol products.