TORONTO, June 18,
2024 /CNW/ - Last week, LCBO workers sent a strong
message to Premier Doug Ford and the
LCBO that they are not backing down in their fight for a strong
future for the LCBO, and the public services funded by LCBO
revenues. In the biggest LCBO strike vote ever, 97% voted yes to
strike action, with an historic 86% of LCBO workers turning out to
vote.
"LCBO workers don't want a dry summer, we love how busy it is
and being a part of Ontarians' celebrations," said OPSEU/SEFPO
Liquor Board Employees Division Bargaining Team Chair Colleen MacLeod. "But we can't stand by while
Doug Ford gives away the LCBO's
revenues to big box and convenience chain CEOs. It's on Premier
Ford and the LCBO to make sure that public services and good jobs
don't get left behind."
LCBO workers will be in a legal strike position as of 12:01 am
on Friday, July 5, 2024. The
OPSEU/SEFPO bargaining team for LCBO workers is back at the table
this week to let the LCBO and Doug
Ford know exactly what they need to offer to avoid strike
action.
OPSEU/SEFPO has presented proposals at the bargaining table that
would modernize alcohol sales in Ontario, increase convenience, protect good
jobs, and allow the province to keep investing the LCBO's revenues
– at least $2.5 billion each year -
in public services like health care and education.
"We envision a future where the LCBO grows with
Ontario," said OPSEU/SEFPO
President JP Hornick. "We could improve convenience by expanding
public LCBO retail locations and hours. That would not only grow
the LCBO's revenues that pay for our health care and education, but
also create good jobs in communities across our province."
The core demands of the OPSEU/SEFPO bargaining team include
expanding public retail locations and opening hours, expanding LCBO
warehousing, logistics and e-commerce capacity in-house, and better
jobs at the LCBO, including moving from a 70% casual workforce to
more permanent part-time and full-time positions to improve
customer experience and sustainability.
"Ontarians have a choice," said Hornick. "We don't have to let
Doug Ford hand the alcohol market
over to big box grocers and convenience chains like Loblaws and
Circle K. We've had enough price gouging from them already on food
and necessities – we don't need the price of booze to go up too. We
don't have to let CEOs like Galen
Weston win big while the rest of us in Ontario lose. We can and we will fight for the
LCBO and strong public services."
SOURCE Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/SEFPO)