Niagara
Casino Security Votes for Strike
Security staff at one of Ontario's
largest casinos have voted 92 per cent in favour
of strike action if talks fail to produce a
new collective agreement. Security staff, members
of OPSEU Local 278, are currently in contract
talks with the employer, a consortium led by
Chicago-based Hyatt Corporation.
"Our
members are standing firm," said Local
278 President Jody Hutton. "They have said
over and over that they are willing to do whatever
it takes to get a new agreement that is fair,
and addresses outstanding problems. We are united
behind our bargaining team."
Hutton
said that some of the main demands that are
on the bargaining table include fair shift scheduling,
reasonable disciplinary language and the hiring
of more full-time staff.
Virgery
Vanier, OPSEU Staff Representative and negotiator
for the local, said she hopes this vote will
send a message to the employer that the union
is serious about its demands.
"The
members have made it very clear that they want
their concerns addressed," Vanier said.
"The members are ready to take action,
but we are optimistic that we can achieve a
settlement without disrupting operations at
the casino."
The
contract between the security staff and Casino
Niagara expires March 31, 2006. |
