Premier Kathleen Wynne says she's optimistic a strike will be avoided at the LCBO.

Unionized workers at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario have set a strike deadline of May 17 unless a new contract is negotiated.

That's the Friday before the May long weekend.

Asked about the labour dispute Wednesday, Wynne said there's a lot of time between now and the strike deadline and she's confident both sides will be able to work things out.

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union represents the more than seven-thousand LCBO workers who have been without a contract since March 31.