It has been announced that workers within the casino area of Woodbine Racetrack have voted in support of strike action.
The news comes courtesy of a release by the Public Service Alliance of Canada, which represents Woodbine's casino workers.
"With Toronto and many municipalities considering casinos, it is crucial to see what's happening at Woodbine when casino lobbyists talk about job creation", states Sharon DeSousa, PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President for Ontario. "With 55% of Woodbine's workforce in part-time positions, how can this industry continue to make the claim of providing good stable jobs?"
The contents of the release appear below.
Woodbine Workers Ready To Strike
On March 20, 2013, OLG Slots at Woodbine workers, who are represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), voted for strike action. PSAC has begun bargaining with Woodbine to address the issues workers are facing in their workplace, particularly the insecurity represented by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) Corporation's modernization plan.
The modernization plan calls for the privatization of facilities with the OLG currently in the process of assessing companies for take over. The instability of this transition, as well as the impact of whether the City of Toronto agrees to a casino, has created increased concerns for the workers at Woodbine.
"With Toronto and many municipalities considering casinos, it is crucial to see what's happening at Woodbine when casino lobbyists talk about job creation", states Sharon DeSousa, PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President for Ontario. "With 55% of Woodbine's workforce in part-time positions, how can this industry continue to make the claim of providing good stable jobs?"
PSAC and the OLG will be bargaining on March 26 and 27, and have secured a conciliation meeting date on March 28, 2013. The OLG's privatization plan, job security, as well as the precarious nature of part-time employment are major issues in negotiations.
"The OLG should recognize the years of dedication and loyalty workers have given the company," states David Lewis, Woodbine worker and Local President. "We are bargaining to ensure that workers are protected during the modernization of the OLG. The work of our members contributes to customer experience and is crucial to the business needs of the OLG in contributing maximum revenue to the Ontario Government and their strategy of deficit reduction."
(PSAC)
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I find it sad Ms Rae, that
I find it sad Ms Rae, that you are cheering for another industry to become popular, and not your own sport.
If they lose out, that is terrible, but if they win, this still doesnt fix the problem of low handles, and no patrons.
This could help you out, in that people might pay attention to horse racing again at this track
TOO LATE, you all should have
TOO LATE, you all should have listened to me 4 months ago. HAVE A GOOD DAY
Good on them......may as well
Good on them......may as well try to get what you can, while you can, because apparently these really nice people at the OLG will not rest until everyone working in their realm is doing so for minimum wage, while the profits go to the States and to the management wizards.
As always Carolyn is right on
As always Carolyn is right on the money! My comment is- Welcome to our world of mushroom survival, living in the dark and continually covered with you know what! My concerns have always been about jobs and these jobs are just as important as ours! Hope your problem is dealt with under 1 year as ours have not!
Kathleen Wynne will bring
Kathleen Wynne will bring bill 115 into play : The right to set wages : The right to set working conditions : There will be no bargaining and no arbitration. Striking will be illegal. Paul Godfrey's job performance will be reviewed. Bring on the election. We must get rid of the Liberal party of Ontario. Just thinking Bruce T. Winning
This could be a bonus for
This could be a bonus for horse racing. Why not all Slots workers at all Race tracks join together and strike, and the horsemen and women can join in and support them. We need a unified representation. Divide and Conquer has been the mission of the OLG, and so far has only weakened our stand. We need strong union representation and we need it now if we are to have any hope for the future of Horse Racing in Ontario!