CORNWALL, Ontario — Over 9,000 workers at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario stores went on strike July 5, the first strike in their history. The members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union had voted 97% to strike. Rallies and picket lines have been held by strikers across the province, including a protest of at least 150 in downtown Toronto.
In response, the liquor board closed its stores across the province for at least two weeks. The Crown corporation had intended to continue to distribute alcohol to bars, restaurants and hotels from five distribution centers, but union pickets forced it to cancel this plan. Instead, the company is only able to fulfill small online orders.
Some 70% of these workers are casuals and earn 9 Canadian dollars ($6.60) an hour less on average than permanent employees. “The cost of living is astronomical,” Lorrie Scuffell, a member of the Local 4100 union executive here, told the Militant. “Workers can’t survive on these wages.” Especially, she said, since there’s no guarantee of how many hours casuals will work in any given week. Some are forced to take two or three part-time jobs to get by.
Five thousand workers at the Quebec Liquor Corporation went on strike in April for two days against similar conditions. About 70% there work part time or are on call and have no access to group insurance. “From one two-week period to another, they don’t know if there will be enough hours to pay for groceries,” said Caroline Senneville, president of their union, the Confederation of National Trade Unions.
“I’ve been with the LCBO for eight years and I’m still a casual,” Maddi Baldree, picket captain in Cornwall said. “It can take up to 15 years to become permanent.” You don’t get any benefits for at least the first five years. And even when you qualify they are inferior to those of permanent employees.
“This is an important fight,” Elizabeth Bardawill said. “We’re not just fighting for ourselves. We’re fighting for everyone.” Many drivers honked their horns in support as they drove past the picket line.
Messages of support can be sent to Ontario Public Service Employees Union, 100 Lesmill Rd., Toronto, Ontario, M3B 3P8.