Unionized workers at Casino Ajax and Pickering Casino Resort in Ontario have ratified a four-year agreement after a strike that lasted two weeks. The new deal was announced earlier this week by Unifor Local 1090.
Unifor Local 1090 also revealed that 92.8% of workers approved of the tentative agreement with the Great Canadian Gaming Corporation.
The strike began on Friday, July 22, when approximately 800 workers between Casino Ajax and the Pickering Casino Resort walked off the job. Both of the gaming facilities remained open during the strike but live table games at the Pickering Casino Resort were unavailable.
The union stated that the new deal includes "significant wage increases" averaging 17% over the life of the agreement with some workers receiving more than a 25% raise.
The two sides also ratified a new full-time/part-time ratio that is estimated to create between 120 and 150 new full-time positions "immediately at ratification" according to the union.
Unifor also revealed the establishment of a new paid time-off program, allowing employees up to 32 hours of new paid time off.
President of Local 1090 Corey Dalton commented: "These were tough negotiations and we were able to get to a tentative agreement because members took a principled stand for better working conditions.
"Gaming sector workers deserve fairness during these uncertain economic times."
Great Canadian Gaming Corporation added: "The picket lines have now come down, and if the agreement is ratified on Friday as expected, our team members will be back at work by Saturday.
"We want to thank all our team members and guests for their patience throughout this process, and we look forward to welcoming them back and ramping up operations as quickly as possible."
