A recent provincial government commercial with Premier Doug Ford working at the barbecue grill with a half dozen cold ones close by has fired up striking LCBO workers.
The video promotes different options for Ontarians to find their adult beverage fix.
Close to 9,000 unionized Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) employees walked off the job on Friday, closing the doors to hundreds of stores across the province and launching the first-ever strike in the retailer’s history.
"Even though LCBO workers are on strike there are still plenty of options for you to buy beer, wine, cider, coolers and even spirits, including products made right here in Ontario," stated Ford in the ad. The ad promotes a new provincial website which tracks stores that offer booze.
Wayne Young, a longtime North Bay LCBO worker and member of OSPEU 682, is not surprised by Ford's tactics.
"It boils down to Doug doing what he can to appeal to his voter base and Doug refusing to acknowledge the actual issues," stated Young in a text to BayToday. "And of course the subtext that the province is not lifting a finger to encourage the Board to return to the table in good faith."
No talks are scheduled between the province and the union.