LCBO employees overwhelmingly vote in favour of strike

Inside the LCBO location beside Tecumseh Mall in Windsor, Ont., Wednesday, March 13, 2013. (Gina Chung / CTV Windsor)

TORONTO - Unionized employees of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario have overwhelmingly voted in favour of a strike should contract talks with the retail giant break down.

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union, which represents more than 7,000 LCBO staff, says 95 per cent of the members voted in favour of a walkout.

The employees' four-year contract with the LCBO ended March 31 and the two sides have been in bargaining since mid-February without making any progress.

Contract talks are scheduled to resume today and more bargaining dates are set for later this month and in May.

OPSEU says the key issues include boosting part-time wages and upgrades to health and safety standards.

The provincial Crown corporation says it is disappointed but not surprised with the strike mandate.