HARRIBURG — In what some are calling a setback for privatizing the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, the union representing state wine and liquor stores has ratified a new four-year contract that appears to require private business in the liquor business to hire displaced LCB workers — and give them the same salary and benefits.
The new contract between the state and members of two United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) locals representing 3,500 people in the state’s wine and spirits stores would, among other things, seemingly obligate any employer that sells wine and hard liquor — including a private business — to adopt all the terms and obligations of the contract. That could put a serious dent in interest from private employers as a number of high-ranking state Republicans seek to sell off the LCB.
