'This is our line in the sand'

Job action enters its second day with workers and union leaders taking to downtown streets

- MORGAN SEVAREID-BOCKNEK

LCBO workers took to picket lines for the second day of a provincewide strike on Saturday.

"This is our line in the sand and we are making history," said Ontario Public Service Employees Union president JP Hornick at a news conference and rally Saturday afternoon. They were supported by a crowd of approximately 80 people gathered at the picket line at the corner of Bay and Bloor Streets.

At midnight on Friday, more than 9,000 LCBO employees hit picket lines after contract negotiations broke down, demanding, among other things, job security in light of the government's expansion plans for alcohol sales in the province.

Last year, Premier Doug Ford announced that the province would allow the sales of beer, wine, cider and ready-to-drink cocktails in convenience stores and all grocers by 2026, starting this September.

This is the first time LCBO staff have gone on strike in the crown corporation's more than 100-year existence.

"We are here today because of the Ford government's plan to try and expand privatization of alcohol sales in such a way to reduce the meaningfulness of the LCBO and the work that we do. That puts every Ontarian at risk," Hornick said to the crowd, who responded with applause.