Pressure mounting on Ford to resolve LCBO disruption

Crombie criticizes 'cycle of cronyism,' wants premier to oust liquor board chair

- ROBERT BENZIE

As the first LCBO strike in history enters its second week, pressure is mounting on Premier Doug Ford to resolve the labour disruption.

Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie said Friday that Ford should part ways with Liquor Control Board of Ontario chair Carmine Nigro, his close friend.

At the same time, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), which represents the 9,000 workers who have shuttered 680 LCBO stores since July 5, said the premier "has forced this strike for his own agenda - to blow open the marketplace for his alcohol-everywhere scheme."

"LCBO workers are on strike for the future of the LCBO, the $2.5 billion in revenues it generates each year and for the thousands of jobs on the line," said Colleen MacLeod, chair of OPSEU's liquor board employees division and bargaining team.

"Our employer has refused to bargain with us, clearly under direction from the Ford government," said MacLeod, charging the premier wants "to dismantle the LCBO, its revenues and our public services in favour of big-box billionaire profits.

"Let's not be tricked. This is about thousands of jobs, hundreds of millions of dollars of public money, and corruption," she said.