Caesars Windsor Workers Set the Mood for Strikes across Canada Teaching Us Never to Settle

This year is going to be remembered as the year of casino strikes when workers found the strength to fight for their rights and demand more from their employers. One of the most heated debates of this year was the one involving casino workers at Caesars Windsor which commenced on April 6 and included as many as 2,300 individuals members of the Unifor Local 444 labor union in a battle for better working conditions.

Canadian casino strikes were some of the most heated events across 2018, as many casino venues with unionized workers decided it is high time that they would take matters into their own hands and fight for a better life. It is enough for one casino venue to make a move and many will have the courage to join the movement and one of the pioneers in this sense was Caesars Windsor. For as many as 60 days workers were in deep negotiations with Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation which oversees the casino resort.

Casino Strike Sought Better Work Conditions

Preparation for this strike started mid-March as 98.3 percent of casino employees of the Ontario venue voted in support of a strike and complete halt of operation if their demands are not met. Ever since February the conversation for new workers’ contracts was in progress, but by March not much has been accomplished. April 4 was the dreaded date when contracts of employment were going to see their last day, which prompted a quick decision.

Back then in its conversations with representatives of Caesars Windsor, the labor union pointed out that workers, including trade ones, earn an average of CA$19 per hour. When speaking of skilled trade workers being excluded, the average payment drops to $17 per hour. Several days into April a new three-year collective agreement was proposed, but workers were quick to nix it, launching a full-fledged strike.

This essentially meant that one of the top gaming locations in Ontario was closed for business. Not only gaming but also more family-friendly offerings, such as hotel room reservations were canceled immediately, whereas all events, including a concert by country star Johnny Reid, were called off.

Once strike action reached its fourth week there was little hope left for reaching a mutually beneficial agreement in a timely manner. The summer season is usually a very active one and any further extension risked impacting negatively Caesars Windsor’s revenue.

60 Days of Strike Had an Impact on Players

Amid the battle between Unifor Local 444 and Caesars Windsor, the labor union President, James Steward filed his resignation and announced it is going to step aside as of June 1. However, the bargaining committee remained the same and negotiations continued in the same spirit. As a result of the complete shutdown for business, the second quarter revenue witnessed a significant blow. At the end of March, city coffers welcomed CA$10 million amassed via casino operation.

As a result of the strike, casino venues to the likes of Gateway Casinos’ facilities in Point Edward and Dresden, three gambling venues on the US side of the Detroit River, MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino, and Greektown Casino also saw an increased customers flow. When it comes to the wage increases negotiated by the parties, over the span of the following three years workers will see a wage increase of CA$1.75.

In addition to that, between April 4, 2018 and April 4, 2021 casino management will not close any employment positions. It could be recalled that 2004 was the last time when workers of this particular casino venue went on a strike and back then they were on the picket lines for a total of 42 days.