Thousands of LCBO workers could walk off the job as early as Wednesday if they don't reach an agreement with the province soon.
The 7,200 workers, represented by OPSEU, could be on strike as early as midnight on Wednesday. LCBO employees say although they plan to set up picket lines, they won't prevent shoppers from entering the stores.
The union says key issues in the dispute are the ongoing trend towards part-time and casual jobs, as well as management's desire to issue 90-day layoff notices to any employee at any time.
"This is about workers being poorly treated - part-time and casual workers," union vice-president and treasurer Patty Rout told reporters at a news conference outside LCBO headquarters on Monday.
Although full-time positions were common 20 years ago, Rout said the majority of LCBO jobs are now casual or part-time.
"Now, 60 per cent are part-time or casual, people making $10 to $17 an hour, making less than $20,000 a year," she said.
The LCBO has said it requires flexibility in staffing because traffic volumes vary over the course of a business day.
According to the LCBO's website, the provincial agency had sales of $4.1 billion in fiscal 2007-08, paying a dividend to the province of $1.3. billion.
"This did not include $382 million in PST, $119 million in GST and $339 million in excise taxes and import duties. When payments to municipalities were included, the total was $2.2 billion," it said.
If LCBO workers do go on strike, Beer Store outlets will not be affected.
With a report from CTV Toronto
