Casino Workers in Union Dispute
The Canadian Auto Workers trade union is pushing for a vote on the issue of bringing 4,500 casino workers from the Niagara Falls area under its umbrella.
The union has filed an application in bid to represent the employees at Casino Niagara and Fallsview Casino, saying that it has the support of the majority of the workers.
However, management of the two casinos are willing to fight the application, stating that it preferred to deal with its employees directly and not through a trade union.
"Clearly, we have the support of the workers," said a representative of CAW. "Based on the level of support and the issues, we felt now was a good time to proceed to vote."
The majority of those workers who would be eligible to vote if they want to fall under the CAW's umbrella are dealers on the casino floors, as well as slot attendants and kitchen staff.
There are many issues that these workers believe need to be dealt with, and they feel that their demands are not being met.
These include the demand to have their say in how shifts are delegated, the use of contract workers in the casinos and others.
The trade union said that voting on the issue will take place over a period of two days near the casinos.
This is not the first time that the union has attempted to appeal to Niagara's casino workers to come under its wings. However, all five times in the past have proven to be unsuccessful.
