Premier Doug Ford denies he wants to sell off the LCBO.
Concern with plans to expand beer and wine sales is a key issue in a six-day-old strike by unionized LCBO workers.
Speaking for the first time since members of the Ontario Public Services Employees Union walked off the job last week, Ford says he has no plans to privatize the LCBO.
“I’m going to make two things very, very clear. We’re not privatizing the LCBO. We aren’t selling the LCBO,” says Ford.
“We are not putting spirits into the retail stores, the big box stores. There’s going to be a great, great LCBO store to contribute to the people of Ontario.”
Ford says he has spoken with hundreds of workers who have expressed concerns about job security, wages and benefits.
The latest offer from the LCBO includes a three-year deal with increases totalling 7%, moving about 400 casual workers into full-time status and putting limits on contracting out and new agency outlets.
Ford believes workers have not seen the deal.
“I’ve told them, this strike should have never happened. It should have never happened. We could have worked things out and everyone would be happy. So let’s get back to the table. I’m asking OPSEU, please go back to the table with LCBO and let’s talk about what the people want.”
In response, the union states the wage increase offered does not come close to meeting inflation.
It is also critical of the plan to hire more full-time employees, saying it fails to address the LCBO’s reliance on a large number of casual staff to run its stores.
