FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 7, 2003
Union “deeply concerned” casino may be poised to lock out security staff
NIAGARA FALLS - The union representing security officers at Casino Niagara says that the employer’s recent moves to hire approximately 300 temporary security staff could indicate that casino management may be positioning themselves to lock out workers in the event that contract talks fail.
Rob Field, staff negotiator for the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, says that the there has been unsatisfactory progress in contract talks with US-based Hyatt Corporation. The lack of cooperation, coupled with the recent hiring moves, leads the union to believe that casino management is stalling talks in order to have replacement
workers available in the event of a lockout.
“We are deeply concerned about this situation,” Field said. “Some of those being interviewed have been told by casino management that they will be starting work ‘sometime in February.’ Considering that the employer has made very little effort to bargain substantial issues with us, it is a very ominous development.”
Field said casino management will be very hard-pressed to fully operate the casino without the unionized security staff. “In the event of a lockout, the only option for Casino Niagara would be to close down one or two floors of the casino for the duration of the dispute. Other than that, they would have to run the casino with the inexperienced
temporary security staff.”
Field also said he was skeptical of the claims by Casino Niagara management that the new security staff are being hired for when the casino moves to its new location in Spring 2004. “Last November this employer said that staff currently working at the casino would have the first opportunity for new positions, but this has obviously not
happened. Given the track record of this consortium, we find it hard to believe that they would incur the extra costs of paying these new staff for over a year before they’re actually needed. Right now, our security staff are working short-handed. This employer is very unwilling to do anything that may cut into their millions of dollars in profits.”
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For more information:
Rob Field (416) 527-1373
