LCBO workers reach deal

Stores across Kingston and beyond will open Tuesday

The snag that held up the end of the strike by LCBO workers appears to have been resolved, according to a report from 680 News in Toronto.

LCBO stores to are expected to reopen in our listening area on Tuesday.

The initial agreement was announced Friday, but shortly after, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) announced the strike would continue. They claimed the LCBO refused to sign a return-to-work protocol.

In response, LCBO officials accused the union of making new monetary demands and stated they would file an unfair labour practice against OPSEU.

JP Hornick, the president of OPSEU, disputed the LCBO’s claims. He said their return-to-work protocol was standard and had been used in previous strikes.

Frontline workers are expected to return on Monday to get the stores ready to be opened on Tuesday.

During the strike local agency stores have seen their shelves emptied. Operators have told MBC news that they have been quite busy. One worker at a Wine Rack location in a grocery store described the situation as overwhelming.

She described her feelings as elation upon hearing about the deal to end the strike Friday, but that was quickly replaced by frustration when the union said the strike would continue.

About 10,000 workers are now voting on the tentative agreement.