LCBO employees and other OPSEU/SEFPO members rallied outside MPP Andrew Dowie's office Tuesday to send a message to the government ahead of negotiations.
The group is calling on the government to stop taking alcohol sales out of the LCBO.
In December, Premier Doug Ford announced plans to allow all grocery stores, convenience stores and gas stations to sell beer, ready-to-drink cocktails, coolers and wine starting in 2026.
LCBO employees say this plan threatens their job security and reduces revenue for the province.
"When you shop at LCBO, all of that money supports public health and education within Ontario. When you shop at convenience stores and grocery stores you're not supporting the province those profits go to the big grocers who do not need any more money," said Billie Bridgewater, member of OPSEU Local 162.
Last year, the government received $2.5 billion from LCBO revenues.
Members of the OPSEU bargaining team for the LCBO begin the next round of bargaining with the employer on Wednesday. The union represents around 7,000 employees across the province. Their contract expires on March 31, 2024.
"Job security, better benefits, wages, those are the sort of things that the negotiating team was actually asked upon from the members at our demand set," said Jennifer Van Zetten, regional executive board member.
Similar rallies were held throughout the province in cities like London, Toronto, and Thunder Bay.
