NEWS ADVISORY
March
16, 2006
Casino security staff
to rally for a fair contract
NIAGARA FALLS – Security staff
at one of Ontario’s largest casinos will rally this Friday to
make their issues known as they try to get a new contract with
Casino Niagara.
Date: Friday, March 17, 2006
Time: 6:00 p.m. Where: Casino Niagara, new Fallsview site,
main entrance, Niagara Falls
Security staff, members of
OPSEU Local 278, are holding the rally to urge the employer, a
consortium led by Chicago-based Hyatt Corporation, to start
addressing key demands in bargaining.
“The security staff here are
pushed to the limit,” said OPSEU Staff Representative Pati
Haberman. “This not only affects their well-being, but can
have an impact on the safety and well-being of the guests
inside the casino.”
Haberman points to some of the
main demands that are on the bargaining table, including fair
shift scheduling, reasonable disciplinary language, the
ability to be able to file a complaint without retribution,
and the hiring of more full-time staff.
“When the casino was in the
planning stages, they promised this community good full-time
jobs” Haberman said. “Instead, we have a security workforce
that is 46 per cent part-time, and the employer refuses to
fill vacant positions. That’s hard on the workers, and can
compromise guest safety.”
Haberman said the members are
united behind the bargaining team, and are willing to do
whatever it takes to get a fair contract. “They are simply
tired of being pushed around by this employer,” she said.
“They are ready to take action.”
The contract between the
security staff and Casino Niagara expires March 31, 2006.
- 30 -
For more information, please
contact:
Pati Haberman (905) 328-7134