Canadian Casino Workers Could Go On Strike Friday

Unifor members will strike across eight Great Canadian Gaming Corporations if new agreements are not negotiated by midnight on Friday, according to the union representing the workers. 

"Casino employers have bounced back following the pandemic-related closures," Lana Payne, Unifor National Secretary-Treasurer, said in a statement. "Our goal at the bargaining table is to share some of those gains with the workers who make casinos successful."

What the Workers Are Seeking

The negotiations prioritize “wages, benefits, and pensions for Unifor members working at table games, slots, security, cashiering, food and beverage, kitchen and culinary, guest services, housekeeping, and maintenance.” 

Additionally, the union seeks to turn part-time or “casual” roles into full-time jobs. 

"We value our customers and the relationships we've built with guests over the years," said Corey Dalton, president of Unifor Local 1090. "Good wages and benefits translate directly into job satisfaction and that's good for business."

Here are the workers represented:

• Unifor Local 1090 represents 1,500 workers across Great Blue Heron Casino, Casino Woodbine, Pickering Casino Resort, Casino Ajax, Shorelines Casino Thousand Islands, and Shorelines Casino Peterborough.
• Unifor Local 252 represents 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 with collective agreements that expire in fall 2022 and spring 2023 respectively.

More About the Union

Apollo Global Management acquired the Great Canadian Gaming Corporation in September 2021. 

Unifor is the largest union in the private sector for Canada, representing 315,000 workers.

The union 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.”