Media Advisory - OPSEU to file discrimination complaint May 10 against LCBO and Wynne government

TORONTO, May 9, 2013 /CNW/ - The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) will file a legal claim tomorrow against the LCBO and the Ontario government for wage discrimination against female employees of the Crown-owned retail giant.

OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas will deliver the union's application to the Human Rights Tribunal at 11 a.m., Friday, May 10, at the agency's head office at 665 Bay St., Toronto.

In its claim, OPSEU will prove that the LCBO deliberately classifies regular, year-round customer service work as "casual" so it can then pay the majority of its employees - the majority of whom are women - less than those classified as permanent workers.

"There is nothing 'casual' about the LCBO's 'casual employees'," said Thomas. "This group of workers is the backbone of a corporation that hands over more than $2 billion each year to the provincial treasury.  The LCBO and the Ontario government are, in our view, violating both the Ontario Human Rights Code and a moral code.

"We are now one week away from  taking strike action and the LCBO still doesn't seem to understand the fundamental issue at stake. We hope this wakes up the LCBO and the Wynne government to a major injustice that they must address."

Thomas will sign the legal claim on the entrance level of the Tribunal office at 655 Bay St. before filing the application with the Registrar.

Details

OPSEU to file discrimination complaint against LCBO and Wynne Government

Date:	Friday May 10
Time:	11 a.m.
Location:	14^th Floor
	655 Bay St. Toronto

 

SOURCE: Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)

Sheila Keenan
OPSEU A/Communications Officer
Tel:  [phone]