LCBO workers in Cambridge picket for support as two-week strike begins

Ontario has entered its "dry summer" according to picketers in Cambridge as the LCBO enters its first day of the strike. 

Workers have pledged to start a two-week strike if the province and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), could not come to an agreement over concerns they have over the provincial plan to open up the liquor market. 

At every LCBO location in Cambridge, workers are on sidewalks with picket signs ready to show premier Doug Ford why they're fighting for job security. 

OPSEU which represents all of the liquor store's employees here in Cambridge and around 9,000 others across Ontario says wages are not the issue, but Ford's plan to increase access to ready-to-drink cocktails at convenience and grocery stores. 

“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 press release. 

Hornick adds that the union is worried Fords, "alcohol everywhere scheme" will lead to job losses at the LCBO and are not afraid to keep the strike going unless a suitable deal is met. 

“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,” he says. 

The LCBO parking lot on Holiday Inn Drive was empty, except for the odd vehicle that didn't hear the news. 

Some of the drivers were not as understanding as they sped away when realizing the store was closed or swearing at the picketers who replied back with, "thank you for the support!"

Laurie Olds was shopping at the Beer Store across the street on Holiday Inn Drive and was of the opinion that sometimes uncomfortable things have to get done to make a change. 

"You gotta do what you gotta do and they feel like they need to strike. They have every right to do that and more power to them," she says. 

Luckily for Olds, she read the news and stocked up the night before the strike in case it drags on for longer than expected. 

"I didn't know for sure until this morning that it was going to be closed, but I got mine the other night. I guess some people over there didn't get the memo." 

OPSEU maintains that they will continue the strike for the next two weeks or until a deal is made.

After the two weeks, if no deal has been approved, 35 stores across Ontario will open with limited hours and only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 

The Beer Store, craft breweries, craft distilleries and LCBO online sales will still be open to the public during the strike.