FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 11, 2005
LCBO staff ratify
agreement
TORONTO: Unionized LCBO staff
have ratified the tentative agreement reached with the
employer July 27.
The 5,400 Ontario Public
Service Employees Union members across the province voted 83
per cent to accept a four-year deal that includes better
protection against privatization.
John Coones, chair of the
bargaining team said: “We are pleased that the current
government has made a commitment not to privatize the LCBO.
This deal will help back up that commitment. We will continue
campaigning to hold the McGuinty government to its promise.”
The contract, expiring March
31, 2009, protects LCBO employees from agency/franchise stores
and contracting out, and makes it easier for casual employees
to gain more stable employment. It also includes wage gains of
three per cent in each of the four years.
Coones said: “The strong strike
mandate from our members helped the team fight off the
employer’s long list of concession demands, and to make solid
gains in job security, wages and other key areas. However
there are still major issues to address over the life of this
agreement, including those faced by casual employees.”
More details on the agreement
are available at
www.opseu.org
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For further information:
David Cox, OPSEU
Communications, 416- 443-8888 x8314
