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In early February the workers at the Palace Casino were forced by the Alberta Labour Relations Board to vote on an Employer offer that addressed very few of the workers’ concerns in spite of a lengthy ongoing strike. Workers at the casino voted to reject the offer which did little to address the wage concerns of the Employees and rights to union representation. The Employer insists on throwing up barriers to Union access by demanding the Union Representative give 24 hours notice of visitation to the work site and the Employer demands they will tell us where we can meet with the members. The lunchroom is also off limits to Union Representatives so good luck trying to talk to your Union Representative if you need them in a hurry. The Employer is also demanding that new hires work for substantially less money over the term of the Agreement. The Employees on this picket line didn’t go out on strike to lower the standards in the industry, they went out to improve wages, benefits and working conditions but once again, the Employer isn’t listening. So now, after the Employees rejected the last offer, the Employer is left listening to the sound of silence as customers take their money to other casinos.
The customer support has been amazing and the workers are grateful to those who have chosen to vote with their feet and go to other casinos out of respect for their picket line. With the warmer weather coming these workers are ready to sit it out for as long as it takes and may even get a little sun tan in the meantime. Spirits are good and the workers are more determined than ever to raise the standards in an industry already rife with ethical concerns. The entire industry needs to listen to the people who make them their money and stop the greed that is rampant. Paying people barely above minimum wage is shameful and more and more would-be customers are finding out all that is wrong with casinos. This strike isn’t just exposing the wrongs within the Palace Casino but is also exposing the government and gaming industry greed and neglect.
Come by and say hello, they would love to see and talk to you.
In solidarity,
Christine McMeckan
Representative, UFCW Local 401 |