Bargaining LCBO employees represented by OPSEU/SEFPO rallied in 11 cities and towns across Ontario on Tuesday, March 12, 2024,
A giant banner with signatures of almost 7,000 LCBO workers were demanding a stop to the sell-off of the LCBO by the Ford government in the lead up to their new round of bargaining starting this week.
“LCBO workers are organized like never before, and they’re ready to fight for the future of the LCBO,” said OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornick, who attended the rally at Premier Doug Ford’s constituency office in Toronto.
“We’re going to stand together and do whatever it takes to stop Doug Ford from selling off the LCBO and to protect good jobs in every community across Ontario.”
In December 2023, Premier Ford announced that his government will open the floodgate for big box grocers and gas stations to sell beer, wine, cider and “ready-to-drink” cocktails.
OPSEU Executive Board Member Joel Usher said the Provincial government is proposing selling of alcohol in gas stations,
The LCBO revenues contribute 2.5 billion dollars every year into the public services like health care and education.
“If it’s (2.5 billion dollars) not coming from the alcohol sales at the LCBO, where is that money coming from?”
“Are they going to cut more, or are they going to increase taxes – it’s a dire situation for Ontarians.”
The OPSEU/SEFPO bargaining team for LCBO members begin the next round of bargaining with the LCBO tomorrow (March 13th). The new round of bargaining follows on the heels of an arbitration award received by LCBO workers just this past weekend for three years of lost wages after Bill 124 was struck down in court and then repealed by the Ford government.
“We didn’t back down from the Bill 124 fight, and we’re not going to back down in this round of bargaining either,” said MacLeod. “We are going into bargaining this week knowing that we have the strength of all of our fellow LCBO members with us at the table.”
Today’s LCBO Day of Action events took place in Port Hope and other locations like Toronto, Brockville, Hamilton, London, Mississauga, North Bay, Ottawa, Pickering, Thunder Bay and Windsor.
Reaching out to MPP David Piccini he stated, “The union that represents these workers are in active negotiations with the Government and I must respect that process. However, we will not be privatizing the LCBO. The LCBO will continue to be a publicly owned retailer providing choice and convenience for consumers, as well as operating as the exclusive wholesaler for all retail, bars and restaurants selling alcohol and spirits.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
