LCBO workers across Ontario held an incredibly successful LCBO Day of Action on March 12^th, the day before their first bargaining date for their next contract on March 13^th. They put the Ford government and their employer on notice that LCBO workers are fighting back against the government’s sell-off of the LCBO.The workers certainly got their attention. After their show of force on Tuesday, unfurling giant banners with 7,000 LCBO workers’ signatures at each of the 11 Day of Action locations, they earned dozens of media stories across the province. Doug Ford, Vic Fedeli, Peter Bethlenfalvy and the LCBO were compelled to release statements to the press.

• Global News: LCBO workers call for job security ahead of contract talks
• CTV News: Rallies across Ontario amid privatization concerns from LCBO workers
• CP24: LCBO employees hold a Day of Action at MPP offices
• Thunder Bay Newswatch: LCBO workers rally against more private liquor sales
• CTV News London: “It brings in $2.5B per year”: Day of Action hopes to prevent LCBO privatization
• CBC Radio-Canada (Ottawa): Journée d’action des employés de la LCBO
• Today’s Northumberland: LCBO Workers Hold Day of Action in Port Hope
• Durham Radio News: LCBO workers holding Day of Action outside MPP’s office in Pickering
• BayToday.ca (North Bay): OPSEU pushing to keep liquor out of convenience stores
• WindsorNewsToday.ca: LCBO employees rally ahead of negotiations

On March 13^th, the same day that LCBO management came to the first day of bargaining demanding that LCBO workers agree to remove the parts of their contract that stop the LCBO from closing stores, laying off permanent employees, and removing all caps on the number of grocery stores that sell alcohol, Doug Ford told the media that the union was “lying” about his government’s LCBO privatization agenda.But OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornick and LBED Bargaining Team Chair Colleen MacLeod had the receipts and shared them with the media:

• OPSEU/SEFPO News Release: Doug Ford is lying to Ontario about LCBO privatization: JP Hornick
• Durham Radio News: Workers’ union argues sale of liquor in grocery and convenience stores would undermine publicly-owned LCBO
• CTV News: Union president fires back after Doug Ford accuses them of “lying” to members
• BlogTO: Doug Ford denies rumours that he’s privatizing another thing in Ontario

Day of Action event photos

Here are some pictures taken from the 11 Day of Action events across the province.Also, check out the pictures and videos from all over Ontario posted on OPSEU/SEFPO’s social media accounts: @opseu on Twitter/X and Facebook, and @opseusefpo on Instagram and TikTok. #LCBOWorkersFightBack

Toronto: Premier Doug Ford’s constituency office

Brockville: MPP Steve Clark’s constituency office

Hamilton: Constituency office of Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport

London: Ministry of Labour building

Mississauga – Constituency office of Nina Tangri, Associate Minister of Small Business

North Bay – Constituency office of Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade

Ottawa: Constituency office of Lisa MacLeod, MPP

Pickering: Constituency office of Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance

Port Hope: Constituency office of David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development

Thunder Bay: Constituency office of Kevin Holland, MPP

Windsor: Constituency office of Andrew Dowie, MPP