Ontario’s tourism industry raises alarm over LCBO strike

Ontario’s tourism industry is raising the alarm tonight over the province’s LCBO strike. It says the strike is damaging the industry that brings tens of billions of dollars a year into Ontario.

This latest development comes as the LCBO launches a new ad blitz, and Ontario’s tourism industry says the strike is hurting them.

Almost two weeks into the LCBO strike, with no sign of a settlement, the tourism industry says it’s hurting the mostly small, independent businesses that make up the industry.

Andrew Siegwart from the Tourism Industry Association said, “July and August are make or break in terms of the year in most instances. So the fact that products are slow to arrive and many smaller businesses and tourism operators cannot offer the products they normally would, that sends a signal that there’s a risk that sales will be down.”

The tourism association says the strike is affecting a third of industry businesses. In the case of bars and restaurants 60%. And survival could be an issue.

For its part, the LCBO released a television ad today with its CEO George Soleas saying off camera the strike didn’t have to happen.

On the picket line, strikers say they’re waiting for negotiations to start again, and issues like job security are vital.

One of the strikers said, “We’d love to come back to the bargaining table but are they willing to listen to what we want?”

Green Party leader Mike Schreiner says Premier Doug Ford is creating the problem by pushing ahead with private alcohol sales when most people are more worried about health care and housing.

With strikers today blocking a truck unloading supplies at an LCBO with managers doing the work inside.

The OPSEU union has agreed to go back to the negotiating table on July 17th.

The latest statement from OPSEU/SEFPO about the return to bargaining says, “Right now, the team is focused on the task at hand, looking at our proposals to bring to the table tomorrow. They have a clear purpose: protecting good jobs and hundreds of millions in public revenue that are invested into public services. They’re ready with a plan to present to the LCBO tomorrow.”