Strike action has been postponed at six out of eight casino In Ontario is owned by Great Canadian Gaming Corporation (GCGC). However, activists in Durham are on strike on Saturday.
In a statement issued to Global News at 4:30 a.m. Saturday, Uniform says that most of its members have signed a new provisional agreement. More than 2,000 union workers were due to go on strike at 12:01 p.m. on Saturday, affecting staff at table games and slots, security, cashiering, food and beverage, kitchen and culinary, guest services, housekeeping and maintenance.
The signed agreements include the following casinos:
- Great Blue Heron Casino in Port Perry
- Casino Woodbine at Etobicoke
- Ganaoque. Shoreline Casino in Thousand Islands
- Shoreline Casino Peterborough
- Elements Casino Mohawk in Milton
- Elements Casino Brantford
However, the union says that employees of the Durham area’s Pickering Casino Resort and Casino Ajax are on strike. Committees continue to hold talks later this week.
Chris Macdonald, assistant to the national president of Unifor, said: “Gaming sector workers were critical of ensuring GCGC Casino stays in place following the COVID-19 shut-down.” “This has been a very difficult period for casino workers and these tentative agreements are a step in the right direction.”
Uniair says details of the provisional agreement will be released after membership ratification votes are held during the coming week.
Issues during the week of talks included wages, benefits, pensions and an effort to convert more part-time positions into full-time positions.
Local 1090 represents 1,500 employees at Durham Casino, Great Blue Heron, Casino Woodbine, Shoreline Casino Peterborough and the Thousand Islands. Local president Corey Dalton says a gap remains between the Durham sites and others.
“Down the highway there is an unacceptable difference in wages and benefits between workers doing the same job for the same employer,” he said. “This strike is about fair working conditions in the gaming sector during uncertain economic times.”
The GCGC said there were “contingency plans” in place in the event of any job action.
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