After a nearly unanimous vote, Caesars Windsor workers will strike if a deal is not reached by midnight on Wednesday. It’s one of two potential strikes the company is facing. The other, in Southern Indiana, was announced earlier this week.
According to the union—which represents 1,400 workers—better pay is the top concern for the new agreement at the Ontario casino.
James Stewart, president of Unifor 444, told CBC that members are working hard and deserve recognition for their efforts.
Make no mistake, the monetary gains are probably a number one priority… Our members are doing an incredible job. The casino’s won a whole host of awards and they want to be recognized for that.
Search for casino operator still underway
As it stands, the casino’s operations fall under an agreement that the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has already extended several times.
An OLG spokesperson told the CBC procurement for a new casino operator is underway.
OLG is currently conducting a competitive procurement process to select a highly qualified service provider to handle day-to-day operations of the Windsor Casino.
When OLG last extended Caesars’ existing deal into March 2026, it said it would announce the winner this spring.
According to Stewart, while any operating contract reached would carry over to a new operator, Caesars is concerned it may lose the contract.
Caesars has raised it with us. They don’t know if they’re going to be the vendor moving forward. They want to be there.
Caesars, however, declined to comment on the procurement.
Strike position eminent
Three years ago, Caesars Windsor workers approved the current deal under drastically different circumstances.
The two sides originally planned to begin negotiations in 2021. However, they agreed to extend the previous agreement due to COVID-19. During the pandemic, Caesars Windsor was either closed or under restricted capacity limits for two years.
In April 2022, the two sides finally reached a deal while almost half the union membership was off work due to C-19 restrictions.
Stewart said the membership is now looking for wage increases to help offset inflation and recent increases in the cost of living.
Most recently, in 2018, the membership went on strike for 60 days after rejecting two tentative agreements. They eventually ratified a third with 75% approval.
Caesars, Stewart told CBC, has faced many challenges as the operator of the Windsor casino.
We’ve had some major strikes. These members have seen the picket line. I don’t think there’s anyone in the workplace that wants to be on strike. They want to keep working. They want to make a living.
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