The 60 day strike at Caesars Windsor, it’s longest ever, ended last week, with a successful vote happening on the contract after three attempts. Almost 2,000 members of Unifor Local 444 ratified the contract that came out of the last talks, with 75 percent voting yes.
Members, who had voted down previous agreements by votes of 59 percent and 53 percent, went for a three-year, rather than a four year contract, which was proposed the first two times.
The final agreement was hammered out after eight hours of negotiations, and the assistance of a mediator appointed by the provincial government. It also apparently helped that Kevin Laforet, regional president of Caesars Entertainment, and Jerry Dias, Unifor’s national president, attended the negotiations.
Dave Cassidy, the president of the union local, commented, “It was tough. This was probably the toughest set of bargaining I’ve been in.” He told the Windsor Star, “This is a landmark in the city of Windsor. Could anybody imagine what we would be like without Caesars Windsor, or a casino in Windsor?”
But he added, “We’re going to go down there and clean up our picket sites right away.”
The casino management reacted happily, saying that the casino would reopen 11 a.m. on Thursday, “Amenities including all restaurants and the box office will resume their regular business hours upon re-opening.”
The company also announced rescheduled concerts that had been postponed because of the strike, which began April 6. The biggest is the rapper Pitbull.
The new contract is not greatly different from the past management proposals. Over three years wages will increase an average of $1.75, which is the same as in the first offers. Signing bonuses are also the same. There are some improvements in job security, including pledges that no eateries will be closed, and no departments will be eliminated or outsourced during the three years.
The final vote took place in an atmosphere of upbeat optimism and members said they were ready to go back to work. Some celebrated when the results of the vote were announced.
The union president said he was confident that patrons would return to the casino, which is considered the region’s top tourist attraction. “The customers know that Caesars Windsor is the way it is because of our membership,” Cassidy told the Star. “They’re first class.”
Some industry experts say the long-term results of the strike should be a concern to management. Two casinos in nearby Detroit have seen increased revenues during the strike.
Alex Calderone, of Birmingham-based Calderone Advisory Group last month told the Detroit Free Press, “Management should be concerned about some measure of erosion or loss of patron loyalty.”
