(Credit: @fordnation/Twitter) “It’s like any other business; you compete,” says Ford on LCBO alcohol sales.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has held a press conference today, discussing the ongoing strike for LCBO workers.
The conference was held in a local small-business brewery, with Ford discussing the available local options as well as the province’s new interactive alcohol map. When asked about the ongoing strike, he says the deal that was on the table was a fair one for both sides.
“We didn’t walk away from the table, OPSEU walked away from the table,” says Ontario Premier Doug Ford.
“They didn’t even look at the proposal and the workers need to look at the proposal and you make a decision whether it’s fair or not.”
He went on to mention that the issues that workers are talking about, could be said for many other businesses in the same position.
“It’s like any other business; you compete,” says Ford.
“When you walk into an LCBO store, (if) you’re treated well, like I know they are, people will come back. Repeat customers.”
The LCBO brings in around $2.5 billion in revenue for the Ontario government, which is still down close to $100 million from the previous year according to the 2024 Ontario budget. Ford says the ongoing decline in sales and the new additions of alcohol sales to convenience stores, won’t have an impact on future LCBO wages and jobs.
“I’m going to make two things very clear. We’re not privatising the LCBO, we aren’t selling the LCBO. We’re not selling spirits in the retail stores, the big-box stores,” says Ford.
(Credit: @PremierofOntario/YouTube) Premier Ford spoke at a small-business brewery, discussing the current LCBO worker strike.
“This strike should never have taken place. We should have sat down, discussed the issues that mattered to people, the workers, and unfortunately, OPSEU walked away from the table.”
Much of what Ford says could hold back a deal, is the current setup for Ready-To-Drink (RTD) beverages including cocktails and pre-mixed drinks in the province. The government announced it will soon be allowing the sale of RTDs, beer, and wine in convenient stores, grocery stores, and more, which he says OPSEU is heavily against.
“Let me be very clear. It is done, it is gone. That ship has sailed. It’s halfway across Lake Ontario,” says Ford in reference to RTDs.
He continues to say the new rollouts from the government will benefit Ontarians and small businesses, but that a deal still needs to be struck.
“My message to the workers out there; ask your leadership of OPSEU to get back to the table.”
The LCBO workers strike is now well into its first full week, with close to 10,000 workers on the picket line, set to last at least until July 19.
