With Unifor Local 1090 and Great Canadian Gaming Corporation failing to reach an agreement on a new collective agreement, a new picket line has been formed. Following the strike at the employer’s Pickering Casino Resort, another demonstration rally has formed and this time at the company’s Casino Woodbine. With all six entrances of the property being obstructed by picket lines.
Members of Unifor Local 1090 started their demonstrations at Pickering Casino Resort on Saturday, July 23, 2022. This was the result of failed negotiations and Unifor Local 1090 before the deadline of July 22, 2022, thus causing unionized workers of both Pickering Casino Resort and Casino Ajax to come out on strike in the pursuit of better terms.
Another Picket Line Formed
Lana Payne, who serves as Unifor National Secretary-Treasurer, commented that the union’s members at Pickering Casino Resort and other properties are fighting for equality with workers at other gaming amenities operated by Great Canadian Gaming Corporation. She stated that the labour union will support them in the fight for fairness with the employer.
Corey Dalton, Local 1090 president said that the company can easily afford to pay workers of the Pickering and Ajax gaming properties what it is paying to its workers at Casino Woodbine. He claimed that until the gap is eliminated, the union and the workers will not rest. Currently, all six entrances of Casino Woodbine have been obstructed by picket lines.
Unifor Local 1090 represents over 1,500 gaming workers at the following GCGC properties: Great Blue Heron Casino, Casino Woodbine, Pickering Casino Resort, Casino Ajax, Shorelines Casino Thousand Islands, and Shorelines Casino Peterborough. And just recently, the company reached an agreement for several of them, leaving only the Pickering and Ajax properties without improved terms and a new collective agreement.
The casinos that managed to get a new contract for its unionized members are Great Blue Heron Casino, Casino Woodbine, Shorelines Casino Thousand Islands, Shorelines Casino Peterborough, Elements Casino Mohawk and Elements Casino Brantford. A ratification vote is expected soon, with more details on the terms being released after that.
Work Continues Despite Strike
Despite the ongoing strike at the Pickering and Ajax properties, the employer said that work at both venues will still continue 24/7. However, live table games at Pickering Casino Resorts will now suspend operations. Guests of the amenity are also advised to use the west entrance of the gaming establishment, which is towards Squire Beach Road and to approach the line with caution.
Meanwhile, Casino Ajax also issued a statement in which it said that it is hopeful that this type of disruption will have a limited impact on its gaming operations. The casino has even implemented several contingency plans that will allow it to remain open during the demonstrations. And its Getaway restaurant will remain open but with slightly changed hours, said management.
Source: “Unifor picket line begins at Casino Woodbine” Cision, July 29, 2022
