Blatant Theft of Public Assets in Ontario
Support Striking Liquor Control Board of Ontario Workers Defending Their Rights and Rights of All
The workers at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO), members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), began a strike on July 5, with a 97 per cent strike vote. The workers are demanding increased job security and an end to the Ford government's plans to expand privatization of alcohol sales -- calling on the government to Keep It Public!
Rather than
privatize alcohol sales the union is proposing that the
LCBO expand, build more stores, increase hours of operation and
create
more permanent full and part-time positions. Far from protecting
workers against layoffs and store closings, the LCBO management
has
taken the stand in
negotiations against renewing existing job protections in the
current
contract.
The union outlined its main concerns and the reason for the breakdown in negotiations at a press conference on July 4. Colleen MacLeod, chair of the OPSEU bargaining committee, stated "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." She said that the biggest unresolved issue is Premier Doug Ford's recent decision to allow alcohol sales in convenience and big box stores, originally slated for August 1.
Ontario Premier Ford increased his attacks on striking LCBO workers with the announcement on July 15 that as of July 18, ready-to-drink cocktails and large beer packs can be sold in licensed grocery stores.
MacLeod pointed
out on July 4 that this decision will have a serious
impact on LCBO revenue, decreasing the Crown Corporation's $2.5
billion
annual profit that contributes to funding public services. There
are
already 2,300 private retailers across the province, including
grocery
stores, wineries
and distilleries, Beer Stores and small general stores licensed
to sell
alcohol.
The union is in particular demanding the government reverse its decision to make ready-to-drink beverages available in convenience and grocery stores which the government will not agree to, stating, "If OPSEU is now prepared to agree that ready-to-drink beverages are a matter of public policy and not something that should be discussed as part of bargaining, we strongly encourage them to respond to our July 4 offer."
The expansion of sales of wine, beer, cider and ready-to-drink beverages to convenience stores, big-box outlets and additional supermarkets was originally scheduled for 2026 but in May Ford announced that his government was handing over $225 million to the Beer Store to break a contract with them that was to expire in 2026, so as to fast-track the expansion of alcohol sales to about 8,500 new locations as of August 1, 2024.
The LCBO workers are demanding guarantees that wholesale, storage and distribution and any work related to the expansions linked to the beer deal be done only by OPSEU members, not private-sector contractors, as well as guarantees that no stores will close and that no workers will be laid off or have their hours reduced. Currently 70 per cent of the 9,000 LCBO workers are casual, with no guaranteed hours of work or benefits and few opportunities to move into permanent part-time and full-time positions.
The workers are receiving broad support on their picket lines from both private and public sector workers, including nurses and education workers across the province.
Meantime the Ford government is actively undermining the workers, providing an interactive map on where people can buy alcohol during the strike, as well as threatening to re-open 32 liquor stores three days a week if the strike lasts more than 2 weeks. A worker at a Mississauga LCBO warehouse also reports that scabs are being brought in to fill orders.
The LCBO workers fight to Keep It Public is part of the broad movement of Ontario workers and their communities against the wrecking agenda of the Ford government to hand over health care, education, social programs and Crown Corporations to narrow private interests. Workers are presenting and demanding solutions that favour the people.
TML salutes the fighting spirit of the LCBO workers and calls on everyone to join the workers on their picket lines! Speak out to support their just cause! Denounce Ford's anti-social and anti-worker attempt to bypass unions and enter into one-on-one direct links with anonymous workers, on whose behalf he then claims to speak. It is a fraud from A to Z. Hold Ford to account! The demands of LCBO workers must be met!
To find a nearby picket location click here.
This article was published in
Volume 54
Number 6 - July 2024
Article Link:
https://cpcml.ca/Tmlm2024/Articles/M5400610.HTM
Website: www.cpcml.ca Email: editor@cpcml.ca