Area LCBO workers, members of Ontario Public Service Employees Union Local 497 picketed at MPP Todd Smith’s office in Rossmore Thursday.
Some 10,000 unionized LCBO employees across Ontario have been on strike since July 5.
Local 497 represents approximately 380 members from Trenton to Brockville and Denbigh to Prince Edward County.
OPSEU has said protecting jobs, and the hundreds of millions in public revenue that come through the LCBO and invested in public services, are of utmost importance.
Local president Cameron Pardy says that all could be lost with the alcohol sales market opened up to convenience and grocery stores.
“If we let it go into the pockets of let’s say Galen Weston and these billionaires that own these box stores and convenience store chains, then that money’s not going to be put back into such fundings as health care and education. We are worried about that. This is a fight for Ontario, not just LCBO workers.”
Both sides did return to the bargaining table Wednesday for the first time since the strike began.
