Winnipeg Casino Workers to Vote on CAW Representation

WINNIPEG, July 21 /CNW/ - Over the next three days, one thousand workers at the Club Regent and McPhillips Street Station casinos in Winnipeg will participate in a union displacement vote that could see them represented by the CAW - Canada's largest gaming workers union.

Some workers at the two casinos have expressed frustration with their current union over inadequate representation and perceived lack of transparency in decision-making, which sparked their campaign to be represented by the CAW.

"Many of the workers we have spoken to fully understand the benefits of being a union member, they just want the type of open, democratic and progressive representation that other workers enjoy with the CAW," said John Aman, the union's national organizing director.

In response to the workers' desire to be represented by the CAW, the incumbent union has launched a public campaign intending to discredit the CAW and discourage workers from voting for the CAW.

"It's unfortunate that this union has chosen to spend an extraordinary amount of time, money and energy to publicly attack our union, especially when there are so many outstanding workplace issues affecting their members' lives," Aman said.

Casino workers will cast their ballots between Thursday July 22 and Saturday July 24, despite attempts by the incumbent union to prevent the vote from taking place. At the vote, workers will be asked to decide whether to be represented by the CAW, or by their current union. Voting will be overseen by the Manitoba Labour Board.

CAW is Canada's largest union in the gaming sector, representing over 7,000 workers at Caesars Windsor Casino, Brantford Casino, Slots at Sudbury Downs, Great Blue Heron Casino, Edgewater Casino and the Woodbine Racetrack as well as other locations.

For further information: John Aman, CAW Organizing Director at [phone]