Strike averted at Niagara casinos

Niagara Falls, Ontario – A strike by over 350 security staff at Casino Niagara and Niagara Fallsview was averted Friday, June 2 when bargaining team members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union reached a contract agreement with Falls Management Company.

„Our bargaining team put in a tremendous effort to reach this deal,“ said Jodi Hutton, President of OPSEU Local 278. „We resisted concessions proposed by the employer on issues such as paid holidays. The bargaining team is unanimously recommending that the members vote in favour of the agreement.“

Highlights of the agreement include improved job security language, improved scheduling for part-time employees and wage increases that, over the life of the contract, reflect increases in other gaming facilities in the province.

There are also improvements to pensions and vacations.

„Our goal from the beginning of talks was to improve the working lives of our members, which also improves the safety of patrons coming into these casinos,“ Hutton said. „We are proud to be able to continue to serve residents and visitors in this community.“

The three-year deal between the security staff and Niagara’s Casinos runs until March 31, 2009.

Members will vote on the tentative agreement on Monday, June 5, 2006.