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WEMTY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18,1990, PAGE 17 PROM PAGE 1 alternatives te layofis, but the board rejected it. "The government is being dic- tatorial, they're not talking to us,1" said Dafys. "As a resuit we're taking a strike vote. We've heard from the members, tbey're willing to go Dut.» If a strike is inevitable, t will Likely occur in May said D'ayS. Dalys said Ontario residents should be concerned about plans te transfer service from tradi- tional LCBO outlets te private business. These private outlets, termed "agency» stores,, will resuit in less service and offer fewer choices te consuniers dlaims Dalys. "'An agny store xiht have 35 brands, a regular LB sr will carry about 300 brands.» Dalys adds that system of sel- lin&g liquor in Ontario bas worked well for over 60 years and the vovernment should not revamp It. "Our members know and do their jobs well. The public will get less service if it changes." LOBO spokesman Chris Lay- ton was adaniant that there is "no hidden agenda or master plan te privatize the LOBO.» He accuEfd the union of dis- terting the facts bebind the board s experiment with agency stores and igoring the reason for last year's revenue increase. Lavton said that until the MOI80S, the LOBO had always experienced an increase in liquor sales, but during the past decade sales of spirite, wines and beer have generally declined. He said a number of factors have contributed te the decline in not just LOBO sales, but also in the bar and restaurant trade. These include changing life- styles, tougher drinking and driving laws and the economy. "As we look ahead te 1990-91 our projections are not favor- al:e sadLayten. ehave te adjust our budget te bring it in hne with sales. We still have a growth budget but itfs been trimmed from 8 per cent te the 5.*5 per cent provincial inflation rate.» Layten said the board was told it had te reduce its operating costs by $20-million. He said the union simply translated this into fuIl-time jobs and came up with the 300 figure. "There will b. an effect on staffing, let's be frank,» said Lay- ton. "But at this point the board bas not announced any job cuts. "We want te corne up witb a solution that's fair te ail sides. We've discussed this with the union, senior management are willing te meet witb tbem, but they've net taken up the offer.» PAýINT SALE! Create a truly elegant look that you will love ta caîl your own! Regal Interior Latex Paint Finishes ... beautiful and long lasting. Latex Semi Gloss Enamel For Walls and Trim SALE Q>70* PRICE3214L Regular Price $42.70 4UflUSve 'fR-wo mO, / Latex Eggsheil Fiat Enamel For WaIIs and Trim SALE 95 Elegant Interiors PIE9/-L ALL WALLPAPER BOOK RDER WALLAVER UPLTO *Manufacturers suggested retail prioe "Where Quallty & Service Make The Differen ce" 1916 Dundas, St. E., 432-8466 Whitby Layten said the difference in the union's and management's interpretation cf the board~s financial healtb is based on an Uanomaly» that should net occur again. «We teck a windfall witb American beer sales last sum- mer. We coudn't keep it on the floor fast enough. "Prices dropped down te $2 less a six-packc than domestic beer. We were suddenly in the beer business.» After the provincial govern- ment teck measures te increase the price cf American beer sales quickly declined te normal levels, said Layton. To underscore bis argument about decreasing sales, Iayton produced a barrage of statistics suprting tbe board's position. 1fn1985-86 volume sales of spirits in the 40 per cent alcohol category totalled 49.5 million litres. I n 1988-89 this figure was 45.7 million. For the first il menths of the 1989-90 fiscal year, 39.7 million litres were sold. Ini the corres- ponding.period for 1988-89, 41.8 million litres were sold. The saine holds triie for other products. Domestic wines felI from 23.2 million litres te 20.8 million. Domestic beer fromn 39.2 million te, 37.2 million. Imported spirits from 12 million te, 11.8 million. Cor s Custom Cabinets 'For cabinets with the quality of ine furniture. " LCBO strike is possible Custom designed kitchen cabinetry to suit your specific requfrements. *Solid wood only *Ail cabinets are hand miade *Ail drawers are dovetail fastened *Cabinets of ANY kind and size designed to suit EyWAf ONTARIO 7I25ImA 17234rkI $190 from every Big Mac® sold goes to help Ronald McDonald Children 's Charities of Canada & local children's charities LOCAL VPS ENTERTAiNENT TO BE( THE DAY ALLAN FULOM N311 -12 RElIE SOETENS 12-1 BOB ATUERSLEY1:30-2 LOCALPOLICE T1IROUGHOUT TIf EDAY REPRVESENTATIVES FROM Tif FAST ciASSFLME ALL DAY 7 FACE PANTING FORTif KIDS 4:00-7:00 5:30-6:30 Es ~ ~ W IB MdALL~'rRvAKo As for the advent'cf agency stores,. Layton said this is a means of providing a service to Ontario communities flot large enough to support a regular LCBO outiet. "We've been doing this in Northern Ontario since 1962. Many p arts of the province can't afford te put in an LOBO store." Layton said 10 agency stores were opened on an expermental basis asat year in amail Southern Ontario municipalities. «We're gong to gauge the local reaction. No decision has been made to proceed ahead at this point. "If there is any expansion it will b. to communities with ne service right new. W. won't replace existing stores.» Layton added that a consul- tant's report which recomrnended doing precisely that a few years ago, was %ttally rejected by senior management."