Employer pushes closer to labour dispute at Casino Niagara
NIAGARA FALLS - The union representing security officers at Casino Niagara says it is “baffled” by the employer moving up the timetable towards a possible labour disruption at one of the province’s largest gaming facilities.
Rob Field, staff negotiator for the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, reports that today the employer has made a request to the Ministry of Labour for a “no board report”. This means that if contract talks are not settled between US-based Hyatt Corporation and the unionized security staff, there could be a strike or lockout in three weeks
time.
“We are completely baffled by the employer’s actions,” Field said. “In my opinion, we were making significant progress at the bargaining table. For the employer to take this sort of action now makes absolutely no sense to us. It’s almost as if Casino Niagara wants a labour disruption.”
Two weeks ago, OPSEU called on the employer to explain why they were in the process of hiring approximately 300 non-union contract security staff for a new building that is over a year away from opening. At that time, the employer refused to confirm or deny that these staff would be utilized in the event of a lockout.
Field says that the union is still optimistic that a contract can reached despite the employer’s imposed deadline. “We will continue to do our best at the bargaining table despite the time restrictions. If the employer acts in good faith, I’m sure we can reach an agreement. If not, the employer will have forced us into a position that we, as
well as all of those who visit the casino, would have rather avoided.”
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For more information: Rob Field (416) 527-1373
