FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 31, 2006
Strike imminent at
Niagara’s casinos
NIAGARA FALLS – A strike by
over 350 security staff at Casino Niagara and Niagara
Fallsview is set for 12:01 a.m. Friday, June 2, and could
seriously impact on the safety of patrons says the Ontario
Public Service Employees Union.
“We have been trying to settle
this contract for months,” said Jodi Hutton, President of
OPSEU Local 278. “So far, it appears that the employer isn’t
interested in avoiding a labour dispute.”
Parts of the negotiations with
Falls Management Company include job security and equity. The
employer also refuses to fill full-time security positions,
instead relying on part-time jobs to cover the gaps. Today, 46
per cent of the security staff are part-time, a situation
Hutton says is unacceptable.
“This American-led corporation
promised Niagara Falls good full time jobs,” Hutton said.
“They are raking in millions for themselves and the province
each year. This community deserves better than part-time
jobs.”
Hutton says that if there is a
strike, patrons of the casino will likely be at risk.
“The employer will probably try
to rely on managers and scab labour to protect the public,”
Hutton said. “They don’t have the training or ability to do a
proper job. If there is a strike, we are strongly advising
gamblers to stay away from these casinos.”
The contract between the
security staff and Casino Niagara expired March 31, 2006.
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For more information, please
contact:
Virgery Vanier (905) 227-3770
or (905) 328-8446
Jody Hutton (905) 295-1095
www.opseu.org/bps/casino/niagaraindex.htm
