The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation and unionized workers who have been locked out at an Ontario-located casino and two local racetracks for more than three weeks now reached what was described as a tentative agreement.
Almost 1,000 workers at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Sudbury Downs in Chelmsford, and Casino Brantford, all three operated by OLG, endured a three-week-long lockout at the said properties after negotiations with the gambling operator broke down on September 19.
OLG recently announced a modernization plan, under which casino workers were no longer eligible for their original pension plan. Discussions over the terms of the new pension plan have taken place for quite some time but an agreement was reached only this weekend.
The protesting workers are part of Unifor, known to be the largest private sector union in Canada. It represents more than 300,000 people, casino workers included.
Bob Orr, Assistant to Unifor’s Secretary-Treasurer, said last night that the employees at the three gambling venues “were determined to protect their retirement security.” He further noted that their efforts have met strong public support and that they hope they have reached the best possible deal.
However, both parties refused to reveal more details about the settlement itself until the workers at the two racetracks and Casino Brantford cast their vote on the proposal.
Dave Reston, President of Brantford’s Unifor Local 504, said in a Sunday interview with local media that they consider it a big relief to have eventually solved the issue. He also pointed out that Unifor’s bargaining committee recommends the approval of the proposed agreement. Mr. Reston explained that all involved parties have been losing something due to the work stoppage – the three gambling sites have been losing customers and their employees have been losing their pay. This is why they all expressed hopes for a positive outcome.
Rui Brum, spokesman for OLG, said that the gambling operator is happy with this turn of events and hopes for a positive vote at all three venues.
If the casino workers vote in favor of the agreement, this will put an end to the lockout. No date for the ratification vote has been announced, however. Furthermore, it is still unclear when operations at the three gambling venues would return to normal.
