Tentative agreements have been reached by Unifor, Canada’s largest union in the private sector, and Great Canadian Gaming Corporation to prevent potential strikes from taking place.
Details will be released following the membership ratification votes to be held during the coming week after the threat of action, which would have begun on July 22 at midnight, was threatened last week.
This was said to be down to workers prioritising wages, benefits and pensions for Unifor members working at table games, slot, security, cashiering, food and beverage, kitchen and culinary, guest services, housekeeping and maintenance.
“Gaming sector workers were pivotal to ensuring GCGC casinos rebounded following the COVID-19 shut-downs,” said Chris MacDonald, Assistant to the Unifor National President.
“It has been a very difficult period for casino workers and these tentative agreements are a step in the right direction.”
Signed agreements include Great Blue Heron Casino, Casino Woodbine, Shorelines Casino Thousand Islands, and Shorelines Casino Peterborough, security workers at Elements Casino Mohawk, and Elements Casino Brantford.
Committees from two sites were said to be still trying to reach an agreement through the past weekend, with Unifor members at Pickering Casino Resort and Casino Ajax on strike until then.
The coordinated bargaining tables for Unifor members at GCGC properties met this week in Toronto seeking improvements to wages, benefits, and pensions. Unifor negotiators were also trying to reduce the employer’s reliance on part-time jobs.
“There is an unacceptable gap in the wages and benefits between workers doing the same job for the same employer an hour down the highway,” said Corey Dalton, President of Local 1090.
“This strike is about fair working conditions across the gaming sector during uncertain economic times.”
Representing 315,000 workers, Unifor says that it “advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future”
Unifor Local 1090 represents approximately 1,500 gaming workers at the Great Blue Heron Casino, Casino Woodbine, Pickering Casino Resort, Casino Ajax, Shorelines Casino Thousand Islands, and Shorelines Casino Peterborough.
Moreover, Unifor Local 252 speaks for 30 security workers at Elements Casino Mohawk. Unifor Local 504 represents 300 workers at Elements Casino Brantford with a strike mandate, plus 275 workers at Elements Casino Mohawk (slots) and Elements Casino Flamboro.
