Ontario Lottery and Grinch Corporation betting that unionized workers won't have a happy holiday season

OTTAWA, Dec. 23, 2015 /CNW/ - The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation has shamefully locked out nearly 125 Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) unionized workers at Rideau Carleton Raceway Slots during the holiday season. 

To add insult to injury, many have learned that almost all of their non-unionized co-workers will be receiving a two per cent wage increase.

"It's absolutely deplorable what they're doing especially around the holidays. The hard line tactics by the OLG in these talks is completely disgraceful," said Warren (Smokey) Thomas, President of Ontario Public Service Employees Union.

The OLG posted a profit of more than $2-billion last year yet hasn't given a raise to unionized employees since 2008-2009. Before they were locked out the workers served in a number of roles, including as parking attendants, housekeepers, slot attendants, slot technicians, cashiers and money room clerks.

"Kathleen Wynne thinks she can take an arm's length approach but at the end of the day it's up to her to intervene," Thomas said. Negotiations for a new contract between employees and the OLG began in early 2014.

"The Liberal government came under fire in the past year for wanting to spend millions of taxpayer dollars on rebranding the OLG. I am certain that their high priced spin doctors never thought it would end up as the Ontario Lottery and Grinch Corporation," said Thomas.

OPSEU has more than 100 security officers at Rideau Carleton Raceway that are not directly impacted by the OLG lockout. OPSEU stands in solidarity with our PSAC sisters and brothers. 

SOURCE Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)

Warren (Smokey) Thomas, [phone], [email protected]