Over 1,800 Ontario casino workers could strike amid contract negotiations

More than 1,800 casino employees could walk off the job Saturday morning if a deal is not reached between the union and the Great Canadian Gaming Corporation.

Unifor said the strike mandate covers those who work at the tables and slots, security, in the kitchen and housekeeping at six different locations.

The union said the bargaining teams have prioritized benefits, pensions and wages during negotiations. They are also hoping to change part time jobs into full time.

“Casino employers have bounced back following the pandemic-related closures,” said Lana Payne, Unifor national secretary-treasurer, in a news release.

“Our goal at the bargaining table is to share some of those gains with the workers who make casinos successful.”

Casinos fully reopened in January after being closed throughout the majority of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many casinos had to lay off a lot of their staff during that time.

Unifor represents 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.

The union also represents 30 security workers at Elements Casino Mohawk.