Strike Headquarters for LCBO members begin to open across Ontario next week

TORONTO, May 10, 2013 /CNW/ - The Ontario Public Service Employees Union will begin to open local strike headquarters across the province for LCBO members as the May 17 strike deadline draws closer.

On Monday, May 13, media events will take place at seven strike headquarters locations in London, Hamilton, Toronto, Peterborough, Ottawa, Sudbury and Thunder Bay. An additional 26 headquarters will open throughout the week.

OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas said the union continues to work towards a reasonable settlement at the bargaining table, but is also preparing in case the LCBO refuses to move on key issues.

"To reach an agreement, the LCBO must address the inequities of part-time work," said Thomas. "So far, the LCBO is ignoring the glaring wage and scheduling issues for part-time staff. This is unacceptable to us."

If LCBO employees go on strike next Friday, it will be the first strike in the LCBO's 87-year history. Thomas says it all can be easily avoided.

"There is no reason for part-time workers to make less money performing the same work as full-time employees," Thomas said. "There is no reason for part-time workers to go week to week without a schedule, and then only work a few hours. These members have a serious responsibility controlling alcohol sales for a corporation that earns more than $4 billion a year. We can easily reach an agreement that is reasonable for our members and the people of Ontario."

OPSEU Strike Headquarters Locations

Media Events - Monday, May 13

Additional Strike Headquarters Locations

Windsor - OPSEU Regional Office Contact: Guy Jeremschuk, Cell: [phone] 3005 Marentette Ave., Suite 130	Guelph - OPSEU Regional Office Contact: Chris Patterson, Cell: [phone] 400 Speedvale Ave W, Unit A
London - Trailer - Beside London LCBO warehouse Contact: Dave Holmes (519) 200- 4829 955 Wilton Grove Rd.	Niagara OPSEU Regional Office (Membership side)  Contact: Jackie Ruddy, Cell: [phone] 2285 Highway 20 E
Sarnia - CEP Hall, OPSEU Membership Centre Contact: Dave Holmes [phone] Devine St.	Mississauga - OPSEU Regional Office Contact: Biagina Rizzo, Cell: [phone] 5757 Coopers Ave.
Owen Sound - OPSEU Regional Office Contact: Robert Hawken, Cell: [phone] 1717 2nd Ave. E. Suite 100	Bracebridge - OPSEU Membership Centre Contact: Richard Woodall, Cell: [phone] 9 Monck Rd. Unit 2
Midland - OPSEU Membership Centre Contact: Richard Woodall, Cell: [phone] 93 Woodland Drive	Toronto - OPSEU Head Office, Tait Room Contact: Craig Hadley Cell: [phone] 100 Lesmill Rd.
Barrie - United Association Local 599 Contact: Maria Bauer, Cell: [phone] 295 Edgehill Drive	Toronto - OPSEU Regional Office Contact: Craig Hadley Cell: [phone] 31 Wellesley Street East
Richmond Hill - Teamsters Local 100M Contact: Maria Bauer, Cell: [phone] 165 East Beaver Creek Road, Unit 21	Toronto - LCBO Headquarters - Trailer in parking lot across from 43 Freeland Contact: Craig Hadley Cell: [phone] 43 Freeland
Oshawa - OPSEU Regional Office Contact: Tracy Vyschaft, Cell: [phone] 500 King St. W	Sault Ste. Marie - OPSEU Regional Office Contact: Floyd Freamon, Cell: [phone] 154 Great Northern Road
Whitby - CUPE Local 218 Office Contact: Jeremy Trainor, Cell: [phone] 2080 Wentworth, Whitby	Sudbury - OPSEU Regional Office Contact: Felicia Fahey, Cell: [phone] 866 Newgate Ave., Newgate Square
Peterborough - OPSEU Membership Center Contact: Donna Shea, Cell: [phone] 1840 Landsdowne St. Unit 10	North Bay - OPSEU Regional Office, Union Hall Contact: Mellissa Jackson, Cell: [phone] 579 Fraser Street
Port Hope - OPSEU Membership Centre Contact: Donna Shea, Cell: [phone] 74 Queen Street Suite B	Timmins - OPSEU Regional Office, Membership Room Contact: Kevin Herbert, Cell: [phone] 414 Algonquin Blvd. E. Unit 1
Cornwall - OPSEU Membership Centre Contact: Jeff Scobie Cell: [phone] 17349 Centre Road, Unit C	Dryden - OPSEU Regional Office Contact: Heidi Compardo, Cell: 807-938-7244 102 Queen Street Dryden, ON P8N 1A7 Tel: [phone] - Fax: [phone]
Kingston - OPSEU Membership Centre Contact: Eric Davis, Cell: [phone] 103-920 Princess Street, Suite 102	Kenora Membership Centre (L. 729) Contact: Patrick Brett Cell: [phone] 202-115 Chipman Street
Kanata - Trailer, Kanata Centrum Contact: Brian Hickman [phone] 457 Hazeldean Rd. Unit 10	Fort Frances - OPSEU Membership Centre Contact: Bobbi- Jo Gray/ Cindy Gosselin 255A Scott Street
Ottawa - OPSEU Membership Center Contact: Adam Ly Cell: [phone] 2255 St. Laurent Blvd.	Thunder Bay - Lakehead Labour Centre Contact: Anne Makela, Cell: [phone] 929 Fort William Road
Ottawa - Trailer Contact: Devon Ford [phone] 1980 Bank St

SOURCE: OPSEU

Warren (Smokey) Thomas 613-329-1931