LCBO employees in Sioux Lookout, Hudson, Pickle Lake on strike

Tim Brody - Editor

LCBO employees in Sioux Lookout, Hudson, and Pickle Lake (members of OPSEU Local 703) are among the more than 9000 LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) workers who have been on strike since 12:01 midnight, July 5.
The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) is a government enterprise and a responsible retailer and wholesaler of wine, beer, and spirits in Ontario, the LCBO’s website advises.
“Doug Ford wants to make life better for his wealthy friends. It’s why he’s wasting upwards of a billion dollars of our money to fast-track privatized alcohol sales and hand more of the public revenues generated by the LCBO over to the CEOs and big box grocery and convenience chains like Loblaws and Circle K,” said OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornick in a July 4 OPSEU media release.
“We know that the LCBO is Ontario’s best kept secret – and we’re fighting to protect it,” said Colleen MacLeod, Chair of OPSEU/SEFPO’s Liquor Board Employees Division (LBED) and the Bargaining Team. “We’ve been very clear that we won’t back down in our fight for a strong future for the LCBO and the public services funded by LCBO revenues.”
“We told Ford not to ruin everybody’s summer, but now he’s closed the Science Centre and forced a dry summer for Ontarians by refusing to offer a deal that would be good for LCBO workers and Ontario,” said Hornick.
“We argued that we grow the LCBO to meet demand and increase convenience by opening more stores, increasing the hours of operation, and increasing warehousing, logistics and e-commerce capacity. Doing this will also expand public revenues by increasing LCBO sales which help fund our public services like health care and education as well as key infrastructure,” OPSEU’s media release informed. 
 “Our plan would also support good jobs at the LCBO and in our communities. Having more permanent part-time and permanent full-time job opportunities means greater product knowledge and even better customer service. 
“Right now, 70% of LCBO workers are casual – they don’t have guaranteed hours, which means most won’t have access to benefits and there aren’t opportunities to move into permanent part-time and full-time positions. We want a better future for our members, the LCBO, and Ontario,” OPSEU’s media release concluded.
OPSEU shared in a June 28 media release, “The LCBO currently generates roughly $2.5 billion in public revenues (over and above tax income from alcohol sales) that are invested directly in our public services.
“We have put forward a better vision, where the LCBO grows with Ontario to meet demand and improve convenience – by opening more stores, including LCBO Express locations, increasing the hours of operation, and expanding warehousing and e-commerce.
‘We see a future with good jobs at the LCBO and in our communities and where a growing LCBO expands the public revenues that help pay for our health care and education.”
The LCBO shared in a June 27 general statement that, “While LCBO’s focus remains on achieving a deal that is fair to bargaining unit employees and helps the LCBO continue to operate effectively and efficiently for Ontario in a new marketplace, OPSEU has clearly signalled its intent to strike. The LCBO has an obligation to be ready for any potential strike action and remains committed to providing the best service we can during this time.”
The LCBO informed, “During an OPSEU strike, the LCBO would continue to operate our online retail services and offer limited in-store shopping.
“LCBO would continue to receive and fulfill wholesale orders and beverage alcohol will remain available through the approximately 2,300 private retail points of sale across the province, including through LCBO Convenience Outlets, licensed grocery stores, The Beer Store, and winery, brewery, cidery, and distillery outlets, as well as at bars and restaurants. LCBO Specialty Services and Duty-Free will also remain operational.”
The LCBO had advised, in the event of a strike:
•    To transition to an updated operations model, all LCBO retail locations will close for a period of 14 days.
•    On Friday, July 19, after the 14 days, 30 LCBO retail stores will begin to open for in-store shopping and operate three days a week (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) with limited hours in effect.
•    LCBO.com and our mobile app will continue to accept orders for free home delivery anywhere in Ontario for the duration of a strike.
•    Recognizing the impact of a strike on distribution and operations, the LCBO will need to institute reasonable caps on products in store and online.
The LCBO’s website states, under the heading, “Strike Underway at LCBO: What You Need to Know”, “After several months of collective bargaining with the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) in hopes of reaching a fair and equitable agreement, LCBO is disappointed that the union has initiated a strike – the first in our long history in Ontario.
“LCBO is committed to maintaining the highest standards of service that we can during this challenging time. We have plans in place to help minimize disruption as much as possible and ensure that our products remain available to our valued retail and wholesale customers. 
“We will be operating our business, but it is not business as usual. We regret the inconvenience and thank you for your patience and understanding.”