Woodbine Casino management has locked out almost 1,000 employees, days after voting to dismiss its newest contract offer from One Toronto Gaming, sparking their protest.

Furthermore, the contract offer was proposed to the workers last week.

Lockout:

The lockout began at 12:01 a.m. Monday, and the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), the workers’ representatives, were the ones locked out.

In a statement on Monday night, Woodbine Casino said: “On April 27th, we reached an agreement with PSAC’s bargaining committee that included a 16 per cent increase in wages over four years, market adjustments in wages for certain roles, a signing bonus of $1,000 for Full Time team members and $500 for Part Time team members, as well as significant improvements in benefits.”

In this regard, Theo Lagakos, who is the local president for PSAC DCL 533 Casino Woodbine, told CP24: “The dispute with the employer largely stems from concerns over part-time workers’ rights.

“We have 50 per cent of the workforce over here that’s part time and for the longest time the workers have wanted to have at least three days, three shifts per week, in order to maintain their standard of living and the employer is not budging. They don’t want to guarantee any hours of work. And that’s extremely problematic to people. We feel that these jobs are very precarious in that way.”

Additionally, Lagakos said that “there are 945 members of the PSAC employed at Casino Woodbine, with those workers filling a number of jobs, ranging from table dealers, to cleaning staff and cashiers.”

Discussions continued late into Sunday night:

“Discussions with PSAC continued late into Sunday night and further improvements were offered, but were not taken to members,” according to Casino Woodbine.

At this time, it’s not yet known how the lockout affects the operation of the casino.

On that note, Lagakos added: “It’s really up to the employer (when talks resume). They’re the ones who have locked us out. They’re the ones that are not coming to the table. So we’re just going to wait out there until they decide to change their mind.”

About:

Woodbine is a racetrack and Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation slots venue located at 555 Rexdale Boulevard in Rexdale, just on the edge of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The race track has been in operation since 1956. Slots were added in 1999. The track has struggled to get a table games license but currently offer virtual version of Blackjack, Baccarat, Roulette and Sic Bo that are lottery draw based.

The track hosts meets featuring standard bred and thoroughbred horses and offers live simulcast betting on remote tracks.

There are several bars, lounges, and restaurant at Woodbine as well as a members only club.

The slots casino is open 24 hours a day.