WINDSOR, ON, June 4, 2018 /CNW/ - After 60 days on the picket line, Unifor hospitality and gaming workers at Caesars Windsor, members of Local 444, have voted to accept a new three year collective agreement.
"Our entire union is proud of these workers for standing their ground until the employer came to the realization that the work they do for Caesars deserves recognition and respect," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. "I want to applaud and thank the membership and the bargaining committee for their ongoing efforts to reach a deal at the bargaining table."
On Monday, the Unifor members, which include dealers, cooks, housekeepers, and janitors, ended a strike that began on April 6 with a ratification vote of 75 per cent. The new agreement for the 2,300 workers was reached shortly after Dias was in Windsor last week to sit in on 'exploratory' meetings with the employer. It includes a strengthening of language around outsourcing and a wage increase which now makes Caesars Windsor workers some of the highest paid in the gaming industry.
"Every day, walking the line our members showed great strength, and with the solidarity of our union we not only held the line but made gains in wages and improvements to working conditions," said Dave Cassidy, President of Local 444. "It was a long road to get here but with perseverance we did it."
Along with acknowledging the support of Unifor and other Windsor trade unions, Local 444 recognized the important solidarity that members of the community showed to the striking workers. On a daily basis, Caesars Windsor workers were joined by members of the community to show their support for decent work.
Deb Tveit, Assistant to the Unifor National President who oversees the union's gaming and hospitality sectors remarked that "the support these workers got during this strike proves that the fight for decent work and fair wages is a common struggle for all workers in this community."
Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy and 19,000 hospitality and gaming 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.
SOURCE Unifor
please contact Unifor Communications Representative Daniel Tseghay at [email protected] or 647-327-9378 (cell).
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