OPSEU/SEFPO LBED Anti-Privatization Committee

LCBO Keep it public. OPSEU.

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Ford’s ‘scrap the cap’ plan a profit-grab for big box grocers

OPSEU/SEFPO says the Ford government’s plan to scrap the cap on the number of big box grocers who sell alcohol will have spillover consequences for the entire alcohol retail and distribution system in Ontario, with millions of dollars in public revenues at the LCBO threatened.  “The government’s plan will impact the LCBO; it will mean...

LCBO: Essentially Yours over an illustration of dozens of people behind an LCBO store

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OPSEU/SEFPO Liquor Board Employees Division (LBED) ratification vote reminder

President’s message With next week’s ratification vote fast-approaching, I’d like to extend my warmest thanks to the LBED bargaining team for their fierce dedication and tenacity at the bargaining table. Bill 124 has presented us with many challenges, but your bargaining team was able to push back against the employer’s demands for concessions and negotiate...

LCBO: Essentially Yours over an illustration of dozens of people behind an LCBO store

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A how-to guide on voting for LBED members

Voting on the LBED tentative agreement is open and will close on June 10 at 9 p.m. Because of the pandemic, there will be no in-person ballot boxes. All voting will take place virtually on the Simply Voting secure electronic voting platform. Simply Voting is a Canadian company – it will email you a link...

LCBO: Essentially Yours over an illustration of dozens of people behind an LCBO store

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OPSEU/SEFPO reaches tentative agreement with LCBO

Toronto – OPSEU/SEFPO has reached a tentative agreement with the LCBO in which no concessions have been made. “My congratulations to both parties for working together to find common ground,” said OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas.   “Our bargaining team did a fantastic job representing our members’ interests.” The tentative agreement was hammered out early Sunday...

Man wearing a face mask holding up a sign that says Keep it Public. LCBO, Schools, Healthcare.

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OPSEU L5111 rallies against privatization

On Tuesday, July 21, members of OPSEU Local 5111 held 2 rallies in Scarborough to protest against the Conservative government’s plan to privatize alcohol sales in Ontario. Allies from $15 and Fairness also joined the local to fight for 10 paid sick days for all workers. The members received support from the public, including honks...

OPSEU / SEFPO flag

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LCBO’s bottom line proves privatized alcohol sales a bad idea: OPSEU’s Thomas

TORONTO – The LCBO’s latest profits show the Crown corporation’s value to the people of Ontario, OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas said Friday. In its 2018/2019 annual report released Thursday, the LCBO is reporting earnings of $2.37 billion on total revenue of $6.39 billion. Thomas said those profits go to the provincial government and pay...

Take care. LCBO: Keep it Public

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President Thomas says the LCBO supply problem is not fixed: CTV video

OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas has dismissed assurances from LCBO President and CEO George Soleas that “products are flowing into the warehouses and products are flowing into the stores. The stores are really ready for business.” Click here to watch the CTV Barrie video. “He’s either very, very naïve or just absolutely lying to the...

Take care. LCBO: Keep it Public

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LCBO says distribution issues to be resolved in two to three weeks

Ontario’s liquor control board says a distribution delay that has left the shelves of some of its stores bare will be resolved in two to three weeks. Warren (Smokey) Thomas says frontline workers have told him the distribution delay isn’t likely to be solved until September. Click here to read the full article on the...

OPSEU / SEFPO flag

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Those who want to raise beer prices are nothing more than pickpockets: OPSEU President

Toronto – A demand for new minimum beer prices by the Ontario Convenience Stores Association is nothing more than an attempt to pick the pockets of Ontarians, said OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas. “These efforts to change a system that is tried tested and true are for the benefit of private retailers, not consumers,” said Thomas. “Now...

Take care. LCBO: Keep it Public

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Support the LCBO petitions presented at Queen’s Park

LBED Divisional Chair Denise Davis, LBED Anti-Privatization chair Jamie Kensley and Local 163 president Robin Reath travelled to Queen’s Park on Wednesday, to deliver hundreds of pages of signed petitions. From left to right: Denise Davis, Chair of LBED; Robin Reath, president of OPSEU Local 163; Sandy Shaw, MPP for for Hamilton-West-Ancaster-Dundas; Jamie Kensley, LBED...

LCBO Keep it public. OPSEU.

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LCBO robbery raises red flags about alcohol privatization: OPSEU

Toronto – OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas is raising red flags about the privatization of alcohol after a security guard was injured during a robbery at a Thunder Bay LCBO this week. “LCBO employees keep our communities safe,” said Thomas. “They are professionals who take social responsibility seriously. If folks think alcohol thefts are bad...

LCBO Keep it public. OPSEU.

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LCBO: Keep it public store tour

The Ford government is pushing a privatization agenda that threatens the long-term survival of the LCBO. With his plan for the dramatic expansion of alcohol sales to corner stores, big-box stores and more grocery stores, Doug Ford is putting private interests above the public good. Come out on your break and meet your union representatives....

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inSolidarity Committee, 2024-2026

The editorial committee of inSolidarity is elected every other year at the biennial Editors’ Weekend event, which is open to all OPSEU/SEFPO members in good standing to attend.

inSolidarity Committee members:

  • Craig Hadley, L 5109
  • Michael Hamilton, L 376
  • Wendy Lee, L 575
  • Alexandrea Seggewiss, L 715
  • Lorinda Seward, L 351, editor

Alternates:

  • Christopher Arndt L 241 (1)
  • Angela Speers, L 684 (2)
  • Duc Vu, L 230 (3)
  • Michele Morrison, L 222 (4)
  • Lorrie Scuffell, L 4100 (5)

Ex-officio:

  • Vikki Poirier – Executive Board Liaison
  • Andy Pedersen – OPSEU/SEFPO Communications Staff Liaison

How to submit an article to inSolidarity

The editorial committee of inSolidarity welcomes contributions from OPSEU/SEFPO members and retirees in good standing. Please read the Editorial Policy below for content guidelines.

To contribute an article to an upcoming issue of inSolidarity, please send it by email to [email protected]. Your submission should include your full name and local number.

Editorial Policy

The content and editing of this newsletter are determined by the committee. We want members to feel ownership of inSolidarity and view it as independent of any particular segment of the union. Content comes from our base of activists, staff and other labour sources.

Where an article has a byline, the views are those of the author and not necessarily the views of OPSEU/SEFPO. While we welcome your contributions, we ask that they be constructive. All articles should be signed and include your local number, and should contribute positively to OPSEU/SEFPO’s mission.

We encourage thoughtful discussion of all related issues and reserve the right to edit for libel, length and clarity, and to reply to those that seem to reflect a misunderstanding of the union and its policies.