LCBO workers edge closer to potential strike

All right, thank you for that. Stella, if you want a drink to cool yourself off, listen up to this next story. The union representing LCBO workers warning Ontarians of a dry summer ahead after thousands of their members voted in favor of a potential job action. Our Tina, yes, Danny is at an LCBO location in the Beaches. Tina, you've talked to some customers there. What are their reactions? Yeah, Mark, I would say it is mixed. Some customers fully in support of LCBO workers getting the best deal possible. And if that means a strike, then so be it. Others expressed disappointment. If this should go through and LCBO's aren't at full capacity this summer, we'll have to wait and see. But the good news is both sides still talking. They're still at the table even today. The union tells us that they remain at the bargaining table even as they work out the timeline on a possible strike. This weekend the union announced of the 8000 LCBO workers who voted, 97% did vote in favor of a strike. The union calling it a record turn out and a strong mandate. So they are not backing down from this fight. The union has told us both sides are still very far apart even though talks have been ongoing since March. One of the major sticking points is job security. There are concerns jobs will be lost as the Ford government makes plans to sell alcohol in corner stores as early as this fall. That's a year and a half ahead of schedule. Now, the government says LCBO will still be the only place to buy spirits and would remain the wholesaler. But, you know, there are there is still uncertainty about job security. Here's some reaction from customers we spoke with today. I would say most definitely that would affect my summer plans. Yeah, I, I'm a big drinker. My families are big drinkers. And that would definitely be upsetting. It doesn't really affect me personally, but a lot of people that in the summer really will be pissed off with the strike of this timing. But I can't remember when the last strike was. I'm not in the least. I support them 100%. Everybody should make a living wage in this very expensive city. So when might this potential job action happen? That remains unclear at this point. The union has yet to file a no board report, at which point an official countdown would begin. Meanwhile, the LCBO says they don't want to strike. They want to reach an agreement, but they say they do have contingency plans in place. So it doesn't sound like LCBO would be fully closed if a strike does happen. What those stories would look like remains to be seen. Mark and Melanie, I'll send it back to you for now. All right, Thank you, Tina. Yes, Danny, outside an LCBO store today. Thank you.