LCBO not exempt from labour reforms: Wynne

Premier Kathleen Wynne has put a stop to rumours the Liquor Control Board of Ontario and other public sector employers would not have to abide by Ontario’s sweeping new labour reforms.

Thestar.com
June 20, 2017
By Robert Benzie

There will be no exemptions from Ontario’s sweeping new labour reforms, including for public-sector employers like the LCBO, warns Premier Kathleen Wynne.

With the threat of a strike Monday by 8,000 unionized workers at the provincial booze monopoly, Wynne has put a stop to rumours the Liquor Control Board of Ontario would not have to abide by the changes.

“I will just say the plan for fair workplaces will apply to everyone,” she said Tuesday, referring to legislation that will force employers to pay workers equal pay for equal work, regardless of their full-time, part-time or temporary status.

The new law would ban firms from classifying workers as “independent contractors” when they are in effect full-time employees.

“So in the LCBO situation, for example, there will be no exemption for Crown employees,” said Wynne, unhappy that some are claiming the OPSEU members would not enjoy the same protections as other workers.

“It’s just not true and I want to make it clear,” the premier told reporters at Amazon Canada’s Toronto headquarters.

“As I’ve said before ... government needs to lead the way on that. So Crown employees would not be exempted,” she said.

“But in terms of the negotiation at the table, I’m not going to weigh in. I really believe that that has to unfold at the table and I hope that they’ll find a resolution.”

The LCBO, meanwhile, is warning Ontarians to stock up in the event of a walkout.

“With the union in a legal strike position as of 12:01 a.m. Monday ... the question we continue to hear from our customers is should they prepare for a potential labour disruption?” the company said in a statement.

“The strike deadline falls at one of the busiest times of the year when customers are planning activities with family and friends over the Canada Day long weekend,” the 650-store chain said.

“We expect an increase in customer traffic at LCBO stores this week. To ensure access to the best product selection and to avoid longer than normal checkout lines, we encourage customers to shop as far in advance of Sunday, June 25 as possible,” it said.

“Some LCBO stores across the province will operate on extended hours leading up to the strike deadline. Should a labour disruption happen, (the) LCBO is planning to provide some level of service across the province.”

The Ontario Public Services Employees Union has noted that almost six out of seven LCBO workers are considered part-timers - even though many have worked decades at the company.