UFCW council - red and blue
April 16, 2012
Philadelphia Inquirer's conflicting stances on privatization are challenged by UFCW 
lawyer 
U.S. Centers for Disease Control:
  Recommends against the further privatization of alcohol sales in settings with current government control of retail sales. 
 Privatization results in increased per capita alcohol consumption, a well-established proxy for excessive consumption and related harms.
 Following privatization, consumption of privatized beverages increased substantially and there was little effect on per capita consumption of nonprivatized beverages, resulting in substantial net increases in per capita alcohol consumption. 
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On April 6, 2012, The Philadelphia Inquirer published an editorial criticizing the Governor's proposal to privatize the PA Lottery. The Inquirer's  confusing and self-contradictory position on that issue stands out as the most illogical statement it has made on the issue of privatization. 
 
In response to the Inquirer's hypocritical editorial, the following letter was submitted by Wendell W. Young, IV, President of UFCW Local 1776 and Chair of the UFCW of PA Wine and Spirits Council. 
 
At this writing the Inquirer has acknowledged receiving the letter, but has not offered to publish it. 

To the Editor:

 

Having lived for years on the wrong end of The Inquirer's long-running support for dismantling the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB), I was fascinated by your take on the Corbett administration's proposal to privatize PA's lottery (Privatize the lottery? No sure bet private manager would be better, April 6, 2012).

 

The Inquirer has endorsed every proposal to privatize our Wine and Spirits shops since William Penn parked his ship. It even endorsed Rep. Mike Turzai's scheme, although every reporter and independent expert who's taken the time to study the bill concludes that prices and taxes would increase for most popular brands.

 

When it comes to the lottery, however, The Inquirer counsels the governor to proceed with caution.

 

What gives? Could it be that the paper is eyeing the tens of millions of dollars it stands to earn in liquor ads should the Wine and Spirits stores be privatized?

 

Last year the stores generated record sales and record profits - more than $530 million in taxes and profits for all Pennsylvanians.  The agency employs 5,000 Pennsylvanians and helps keep our communities safe. How can The Inquirer call the PLCB "troubled?" Sorry, this agency isn't broke.

 

After a lengthy, peer-reviewed study, experts from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommended against privatization of retail sale of alcohol due to increased risks to public health.

 

The PLCB is a valuable public asset and, no matter how many times The Inquirer jumps on board the privatization train, this isn't going to change. 

 
Wendell W. Young, IV
President, UFCW Local 1776
Chair, UFCW of PA Wine and Spirits Council

Liquor stores causing problems in many communities:

 

Privatization = MORE CRIME!


A serious problem is arising in Chicago as private liquor stores are becoming a magnet forhandcuffs crime in the city.
 
The mayor of Chicago is taking a serious look at an aggressive crackdown on crime around liquor stores, by shutting down liquor stores and convenience stores that are becoming "a cancer" on communities in Chicago.
 
Read the story here.
 
A new study emerging from New Zealand has found that crime doubles within 900m of a liquor outlet. police tape
 
Researchers at the University of Canterbury's GeoHealth laboratory have found that, the more liquor stores an area has, the more likely it is to have a higher rate of serious violent crime, regardless of poverty and other factors.
 
Read the story here. 

Get the FACTS about privatization!

PLCB member 2

Before you vote to privatize the Pennsylvania Wine and Spirits stores, you should know the facts.

 

Visit our website for more information. You can also find more information at the We Can't Afford It PA website.