The LBCO strike was off, but now it appears it’s back on.
The union that represents striking LCBO workers now says the “strike will continue,” per reports, because the LCBO is refusing to sign a return-to-work protocol document.
The abrupt update arrived at about 3 p.m. on Friday, throwing into question the tentative deal that the two sides struck to end the strike after two weeks.
LCBOs were set to reopen on Tuesday but now it appears all bets are off.
“We were prepared to announce this deal. The Premier said there was a deal, but the employer is now refusing to sign that protocol,” an OPSEU spokesperson said Friday, per CityNews.
“Without that document signed, we do not have a deal, the strike continues.”
“We remain at the table and will discuss the deal as soon as the employer signs the document.”
Some 10,000 LCBO workers are represented by OPSEU.
Earlier Friday, the LCBO said in a statement that the tentative agreement would end the strike at 12:01 a.m. on Monday if it is ratified and the retailer was planning to reopen stores on Tuesday.
“We look forward to welcoming our unionized employees back to work in service of Ontarians,” the LCBO wrote in its statement.
“We recognize the disruption the strike caused for our employees, partners, and customers who rely on our services, and we thank everyone for their continued patience and understanding as we begin resuming regular operations.”