LCBO workers ready to strike to protect good jobs and public services

TORONTO, June 18, 2024 /CNW/ – Last week, LCBO staff sent a strong message to the Prime Minister Doug Ford and the LCBO that they will not let up in their fight for a strong future for the LCBO and the public services funded by LCBO revenues. In the largest strike vote ever at the LCBO, 97% voted in favor of strike action, with 86% of LCBO workers turning out to vote, a historic figure.

“LCBO employees don’t want a dry summer, we love how busy it is and being part of Ontarians’ celebrations,” said the chair of the OPSEU/SEFPO Liquor Board Employees Division negotiating team Colleen MacLeod“But we cannot stand idly by, Doug Ford is giving away the LCBO’s revenues to the CEOs of large supermarket chains and convenience stores. It is up to Premier Ford and the LCBO to ensure that public services and good jobs are not left behind.”

LCBO workers are in a legal strike position as of 00:01. Friday, July 5, 2024The OPSEU/SEFPO LCBO Workers Negotiating Team is back at the table this week to represent the LCBO and Doug Ford know exactly what they have to offer to avoid strikes.

OPSEU/SEFPO has put forward proposals to modernise alcohol sales in Ontarioincrease comfort, protect good jobs and enable the province to continue to invest the LCBO’s revenues – at least 2.5 billion US dollars every year – in public services such as healthcare and education.

“We envision a future in which the LCBO grows with Ontariosaid OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornick. “We could improve convenience by expanding the branches and hours of public LCBOs. This would not only increase LCBO revenues used for our health care and education systems, but also create good jobs in communities across our province.”

Key demands from the OPSEU/SEFPO negotiating team include expanding public retail locations and hours, expanding the LCBO’s in-house warehousing, logistics and e-commerce capabilities, and improving workplaces 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.

The story goes on

“Ontarians have a choice,” Hornick said. “We cannot allow Doug Ford to hand over the alcohol market to large grocery and convenience chains like Loblaws and Circle K. We have already seen enough of them charging extortionate prices for groceries and convenience items – we do not need higher prices for alcohol as well. We do not need to allow CEOs like Galen Weston win while the rest of us in Ontario lose. We can and will fight for the LCBO and strong public services.”

SOURCE: Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/SEFPO)

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/June2024/18/c6061.html