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“If the new government thought Orono was going to take this lying down, they’re in for a rude awakening.” — Tracy Vyfschaft, LCBO employee and OPSEU Executive Board Member
Orono (21 Sept. 2018) — Warren (Smokey) Thomas, President of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE) will attend a rally in Orono today to hold the provincial government to its promise to maintain an LCBO store in the community.
Rally planned for 3 p.m.
“Orono deserves an LCBO,” said Thomas. “It’s inspiring to see a community that’s willing to take its power back from provincial politicians and corporate managers in Toronto. I’m proud to lend OPSEU’s full support to this fight.”
The rally will take place a 3 p.m. in front of Orono’s LCBO outlet at 91 Mill St.
It's open, it's closed
Orono first learned its LCBO was in jeopardy late in 2017 when managers announced the outlet would be closed, despite the fact it regularly generates a profit. Supported by OPSEU/NUPGE and the We Own It campaign, the community rallied — flooding their provincial MPP and municipal council members with phone calls and emails calling for the outlet to remain open.
The pressure seemed to have worked. In April, the local MPP at the time announced the store would remain open. But a month later, Orono residents received cards in the mail saying the
LCBO would be closing in October.
“If the new government thought Orono was going to take this lying down, they’re in for a rude awakening,” said Tracy Vyfschaft, an LCBO employee and OPSEU Executive Board Member. “We will fight and support the community. Orono deserves an LCBO!”