LCBO workers to picket two Toronto stores Friday

Toronto – LCBO employees will again picket at two LCBO locations this Friday September 16, 2016 against the expansion of alcohol sales to grocery stores, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) announced today.

Locations include Eglinton and Laird and Highway 401 and Weston Rd in Toronto.

Employees picketed a Pickering store in August and once before in July 2016.

The campaign against alcohol expansion to grocery stores is “crucial now more than ever,” according to Nick Papadimitriou, president of OPSEU Local 5108. The Ontario government will expand wine sales into 70 grocery stores by October 28. Some 60 stores across the province are already selling beer and cider.

“This is about public education,” said Colleen Macleod, president of OPSEU Local 5107. “We’ve met many folks who don’t realize that what is happening is privatization. It is, and it’s detrimental to communities.” When British Columbia expanded sales of alcohol to private retailers, the province saw a rise in alcohol-related costs – emergency services, healthcare, as well as community services and law enforcement.

“I think Ontarians are just tired of Premier Wynne’s agenda,” said OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas. “They’re using alcohol liberalization to distract folks from the other damage their doing to the province. But once people get past the touted ‘convenience’ of it, I know support will land on the side of keeping alcohol sales public.”