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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 12, 1999

Crown agency playing Russian Roulette with law enforcement

TORONTO - The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario is playing Russian Roulette with the enforcement of the laws around licensed establishments and gambling, according to the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.

Union members who work for the AGCO could be on strike as early as Nov. 1 in an effort to get a fair first contract. The AGCO was formed in 1998 to take over the work of the Liquor Licensing Board of Ontario and the Ontario Gaming Control Commission.

Negotiations broke down Oct. 8, when the AGCO announced it would not move at all on six key issues. The sticking points are:

  • A refusal to consider layoff by seniority
  • An insistence on short-term layoffs
  • A refusal to write benefit plans into the collective agreement, combined with an insistence on being able to change them without consulting with the union, provided the "value" is unchanged.
  • A demand to over-ride job posting language
  • A refusal to institute a wage grid, combined with an insistence that increases between a start rate and a "job rate" would be by merit, not grievable, and not supported by job specification.
  • Wage increases (the AGCO is stuck at 4.3 per cent over 3 ½ years)

If the 200 inspectors and other enforcement staff are pushed into a strike, it will mean no enforcement of licensed premises for service of under-aged drinkers, watered-down drinks, service after closing hours, service of smuggled or other illegal alcohol, and service of intoxicated patrons. New premises hoping for a liquor licence will be delayed, as there will be nobody to do a final inspection before the licence is granted.

Similarly, enforcement of the rules for charity and casino gambling will be in limbo.

"These operations are licensed and regulated for a reason," said OPSEU negotiator Mike Rowett. "The reason is that without regulation there is a long-standing history of abuse. The AGCO is not living up to the responsibility it has to the citizens of Ontario.

"OPSEU has been trying to negotiate a first agreement for the staff since the middle of 1998. Despite narrowing the areas in dispute to about 20, and despite the best efforts of a conciliation officer, we are unable to bridge these substantial differences. Unfortunately we have no other way to move these talks forward but to set a strike date," he said.

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