Ontario's government-run liquor stores and unionized employees have reached a tentative deal, averting a strike during the peak summer sales period.

The deal comes after negotiators from both sides pushed past a midnight deadline.

The key negotiating issue for the union was fighting for the rights of casual workers.

The union has said those employees don't receive vacation, sick time or benefits, and can be called in to work as little as two hours at a time.

A source close to the talks says terms of the deal include benefits for casual workers and more opportunities for full-time jobs.

Employees are working feverishly to replenish supplies after the threat of a strike prompted a run on booze across the province.

The union's bargaining team unanimously agreed on the deal and is planning a ratification vote as soon as possible.

Long line-ups of customers with full carts at some downtown outlets gave way to a calm restocking of shelves and a more typical trickle of business.

A strike would have been the first in LCBO history.

As the stores neared closing time last night, worried shoppers stripped shelves bare at some outlets, including the large store at Yonge St. and Summerhill Ave. Vodka in particular was hit hard there.

"I hear a lot of LCBO stores are already sold out," said Catherine Wu, 27, marching out with satchels containing $170 worth of booze.

In long lineups that caught some stores unprepared, long-standing complaints about the LCBO naturally rose to the surface.

Marika Pick and Carlie Clough waited in line with 40 bottles of red and white wine for a TV cooking show they said was in production.

"This supply should last about four weeks," Pick said. "If the strike is still on after that, we'll go to Buffalo."

"Or we'll make our own," said Clough.

At Hair of the Dog at Wood and Church Sts., in the heart of gay Toronto, staff also stocked up "three times more" than the usual order, in anticipation of Pride Week, said assistant manager Bill Mann.

The order, which included "cases and cases" of vodka, was so large they filled their liquor room and had to keep the rest off site, bringing it in as needed, said Mann

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"We're expecting this is for Pride," he said. "We're just trying to survive this weekend."

Last month, LCBO workers voted 93 per cent in favour of a strike mandate. Their collective agreement expired March 31.

-With files from John Goddard and Nicole Baute