The odds seem to be improving that casinos in Ontario could soon reopen.
But what the gambling environment might look like in the COVID-19 world remains to be seen.
At Casino Rama, its employees are itching to get back to work, but many remain concerned about health risks.
And, many employees at Casino Rama continue to have concerns about the way Gateway Casinos is going about their business.
Last week, after the union and the company failed to come to an agreement, employees learned their benefits would be cut off immediately. They had been extended twice since casinos were shut down in March over concerns about the spread of the coronavirus.
Corey Dalton, the president of Unifor Local 1090, which represents more than 1,100 unionized employees at Casino Rama, is furious the company has halted benefits. He says Gateway is “greedy” and says their conduct is “shameful.”
Last week, Gateway inked agreements with all of its casino properties to extend benefits for unionized employees - except those at Casino Rama.
Dalton said the company is trying to “totally dismantle” the previously bargained collective agreement.
He said Gateway would only extend employee benefits if the union agreed to “more than a dozen major concessions.”
Those concessions, according to Dalton, included:
- Waiving mass termination pay and all legal severance entitlements;
- Changing recall provisions to classification-based versus seniority-based;
- Allowing supervisors to perform Union work for up to four (4) hours per shift, per supervisor;
- Merging Hotel and Casino Housekeeping;
- Elimination of guest services - reclassify as "Bell Attendant";
- Giving employer unilateral, undisputed right to alter the break-schedule for dealers in any manner they wish;
- Eliminating employee shuttle;
- Eliminating Turtle Island (employee cafeteria); and
- Eliminating (merging) of Slot Attendant and Player Services Co-Ordinator into new classification called "Guest Services Rep"
“For weeks, we have made it abundantly clear that we will not accept concessions that negatively impact our membership,” Dalton said in a letter to employees.
“Your bargaining committee refuses to sell out Casino Rama members out of desperation.”
Dalton said the union has been “fully prepared and willing to discuss operational concerns that would allow for the smooth re-opening of the casino.”
“Unfortunately, Gateway wanted to totally dismantle your collective agreement rights and your statutory Employment Standards rights. Gateway had not asked for the same list (of) concessions at their other properties - just Casino Rama.”
But Rob Mitchell, the director of communications and public affairs for Gateway, sees things differently.
“Over the past weeks, we have been in discussions with unions across the country on agreements that included benefits continuation,” he said in a statement emailed to OrilliaMatters.
“Additionally, our offer allowed for better job security for our employees and also included a number of additional terms to assist the business to more quickly return to operations.
“However, we have not been able to reach an agreement with the union at Casino Rama, but are open to continuing these discussions.”
Some employees at Casino Rama will continue to have benefits. In a letter to employees dated July 3, Gateway said for non-union employees, benefits will continue until six weeks after the declared state of emergency in Ontario ends.
The union and management have been at odds since Gateway began operating the casino.
It’s left some unionized employees feeling frustrated.
One long-term employee, who requested anonymity due to fears about his job, said he is “not a fan of the union.”
He said the union should suspend union dues and should “suspend all items in the collective agreement” until it’s determined what reopening means.
He said the claim that the suspension of benefits is only for a few weeks is “nonsense.”
“They already know only a small number of people will be called back in the beginning,” he said, adding that means many will not return to work and, as a result, will not have benefits.
Dalton said the union has been told that the reopening of casinos will be part of Stage 3 of the province’s reopening plan. Premier Doug Ford has hinted the province could move into Stage 3 as early as next week.
“All reasonable information at this point suggests that the reopening of casinos could happen in the very near future - possibly in a few weeks,” said Dalton.
Mitchell said it remains unclear when casinos might reopen.
“We are anxiously looking forward to a date when we can resume operations at all our sites in Ontario,” said Mitchell. “At the present time, the government has not signaled to us when that date may be.”
Dalton concedes unionized employees “will be angry” about the impasse.
“We all need to direct that anger and frustration solely where it belongs - at Gateway and their greedy management,” Dalton said in a letter to members.
“They have abandoned their employees at Casino Rama - now their only property in Ontario without the protection of health benefits. We will never forgive or forget this shameful action from a shameful employer.”
