Disgruntled Casino de Montreal employees, who have been trying to secure a new contract for more than a year, have hinted they might employ the same tactic that helped croupiers secure a new agreement last year.
The union, whose members include customer service, catering and security, issued a press release last week saying they are willing to implement a five-day strike mandate. Employees at the Casino de Gatineau and Jeux en ligne have also issued similar five-day strike mandates, while workers at the Charlevoix and Mont-Tremblant casinos are expected to hold votes soon.
Approximately 91 percent of casino employee members voted for the five-day strike. When they use it could be key. The union said it could be exercised “at the opportune moment.”
The work stoppage could happen during one of the city’s biggest weekends—the Formula 1 Montreal Grand Prix race is scheduled from June 16-18. It is held on the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit on Île Notre-Dame, the same area as the Casino de Montreal. The race attracts 360,000 people and they may well encounter the more than 1,000 employees who could be picketing.
The strategy is an attempt to force their employer, Loto-Québec to the bargaining table. They are asking for “the equivalent of the rise in the cost of living plus $1 per hour,” in order to “protect employees’ purchasing power and improve attraction and retention.”
Loto-Québec quickly fired back at the demand. They said in a release put out shortly after Casino de Montreal’s that they have presented “two comprehensive and generous monetary offers.” They believe those “address the major issues of attraction, retention and the economic context.”
They said they will resist the pressure tactics and ensured the casinos would operate without interruption.
