Workers and management at the Hard Rock Casino in Vancouver, B.C. have reached an agreement, ending a 10-week strike. The strike was called by the 400 workers of the BC Government and Service Employees Union (BCGEU.) They had been trying to negotiate their first collective bargaining agreement with the casino since they joined in 2016.
The workers include table dealers, cashiers, slots attendants, kitchen staff and security.
BCGEU president Stephanie Smith issued this statement: “On behalf of every member of the BCGEU, I want to congratulate the Hard Rock workers and their bargaining committee. We couldn’t be prouder of their commitment and resolve.”
About 675 BCGEU casino workers remain on strike against four Gateway casinos, in Kelowna, Vernon, Kamloops and Penticton. They haven’t been able to agree on wages, according to the union. The strike began June 29.
The formerly striking members of BCGEU decided to make a show of support for the Gateway workers over the weekend.
“We’re calling on union and community members throughout the Thompson Okanagan region to support these casino workers on strike for a living wage,” declared BCGEU executive vice-president Doug Kinna. “Union members everywhere need to help send a message: wealthy employers, like Gateway Casinos, have short-changed workers for too long—our members deserve their fair share in the company’s success.”
As with the former strike against Hard Rock, the issue is wages, say union officials.
