A casino strike in Ontario could be on the cards after members of Unifor at eight Great Canadian Gaming Corporation casinos have threatened action if their demands are not met by the end of the week.
The dispute surrounds workers’ wages, benefits and pensions and will come into effect as the clock strikes 12 midnight on July 22 if a new deal is not agreed upon.
Unifor represents members working at table games, slot, security, cashiering, food and beverage, kitchen and culinary, guest services, housekeeping and maintenance across the eight Great Canadian Gaming Corporation casinos.
Lana Payne, Unifor National Secretary-Treasurer, commented: “Casino employers have bounced back following the pandemic-related closures. Our goal at the bargaining table is to share some of those gains with the workers who make casinos successful.”
The union is also seeking to increase the share of stable jobs by converting part-time or “casual” positions into full-time roles.
Unifor advocates for all working people and their rights, and fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad.
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.
Further, 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.
“We value our customers and the relationships we’ve built with guests over the years,” added Corey Dalton, President of Unifor Local 1090. “Good wages and benefits translate directly into job satisfaction and that’s good for business.”
