LCBO employees gathered in front of Vic Fedeli's constituency office to voice their displeasure over the idea of liquor being sold potentially in convenience stores in the future is a bad idea.
"We are here today to let Doug Ford know that enough is enough," said Jamie Kensley, OPSEU local 681 president based in Sudbury.
North Bay was one of the 11 locations in the province where OPSEU members rallied in front of respective MPP offices as they prepare to go into negotiations with the province.
"We have over 7,000 signatures which is 70 per cent of our workforce that are in solidarity and we have had enough of him selling off the LCBO to his buddies.
"We sell a controlled substance, we don't sell chocolate bars, we don't sell chips. We need to keep that in perspective in what we are doing here. We are trying to fight to keep Ontarians safe."
OPSEU officials say their priorities are wages and pandemic pay, which the union claims they did not receive.
Vic Fedeli, Nipissing's MPP, made a statement regarding the LCBO workers and OPSEU concerns.
"In an expanded marketplace, the LCBO will continue to operate as a retailer across the province as well as its e-commerce and mobile platforms to provide a wide selection of spirits, wines, beer and cider to consumers in communities across the province," stated Fedeli in an email.
"The LCBO will be the exclusive wholesaler for all retail, bars and restaurants selling alcohol and will offer consumers an extensive array of choices, including domestic and imported products.
Fedeli says maintaining a retail and wholesale role for the LCBO supports a measured and stable transition in an expanded marketplace.
"It also ensures there is continued government revenue from the sale of alcohol to support critical services like healthcare, education and infrastructure," Fedeli continued.
Kensley says the union will keep pushing their message across the province.
"I think what we have planned especially with the solidarity in our membership right now and what we want to do across the province in terms of holding some public health forums with our public health allies who understand the importance of keeping the LCBO public," he said.
