Second Group of Thunder Bay Casino Employees Joins Steelworkers

THUNDER BAY, ON, Nov. 26, 2013 /CNW/ - Office, clerical and administrative employees at OLG Casino Thunder Bay have joined their colleagues and voted to become members of the United Steelworkers (USW) union.

In a certification vote on Monday supervised by the Ontario Labour Relations Board, the casino's office, clerical and administrative employees voted 83% in favour of joining the USW.

Monday's vote follows a similar ballot last week, when the casino's gaming floor employees also voted to join the Steelworkers. The USW now represents approximately 210 employees at the Thunder Bay casino.

"Casino Thunder Bay's hard-working employees recognize they have to stand together to defend their rights and protect their interests," said USW Ontario Director Marty Warren.

"They know the collective bargaining process is their best bet to address their concerns and deal with the uncertainty created by the Ontario's government's plan to privatize their workplace," Warren said.

The USW expects the OLG (Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation) to begin the process of negotiating a collective agreement with Casino Thunder Bay employees as soon as possible, he added.

Thunder Bay casino employees became increasingly concerned in recent months after being told by their employer there were few guarantees regarding their future employment and working conditions.

The casino employees have not had a wage increase in five years. The OLG recently announced it planned an additional two-year wage freeze at its sites where workers are not unionized.

SOURCE: United Steelworkers (USW)

Marty Warren, USW District 6 Director, 416-243-8792
Denis Dallaire, USW Staff Representative, 705-698-5830, [email protected]
Bob Gallagher, USW Communications, 416-544-5966, 416-434-2221, [email protected]