Thunder Bay Casino Employees Join United Steelworkers

THUNDER BAY, ON, Nov. 22, 2013 /CNW/ - Employees at the OLG Casino Thunder Bay, which may soon be privatized by the Ontario government, have voted to join the United Steelworkers (USW) union.

In a vote supervised by the Ontario Labour Relations Board, the casino employees voted 68% in favour of joining the USW. The USW now represents 201 employees at the Thunder Bay casino.

"OLG Casino Thunder Bay employees have serious concerns about their fate under the provincial government's privatization plans," said Marty Warren, the USW's Ontario Director.

"Neither the government nor the OLG has adequately addressed the legitimate questions employees have raised about their status in the event the casino is sold to a private operator," Warren said.

"We congratulate the Thunder Bay casino employees for deciding to stand up for their collective interests."

The USW expects the OLG (Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation) to begin the process of negotiating a collective agreement as soon as possible, Warren added.

In recent months, Thunder Bay casino employees were told by their employer there were few guarantees regarding their future employment and working conditions.

"The USW will have 'successor rights' if the facility is privatized and the employees' rights and interests will be better protected as a result," Warren said.

"It's now incumbent on the OLG to recognize its obligation to negotiate a fair collective agreement with its employees."

SOURCE: United Steelworkers (USW)

Marty Warren, USW District 6 Director, 416-243-8792
Denis Dallaire, USW Staff Representative, 705-698-5830, [email protected]
Denis St. Pierre, USW Communications, 416-544-5990, 647-522-1630, [email protected]