Casino employees in Canada on the verge of a strike

The employees of two casinos in British Columbia, Grand Villa Casino and the Starlight Casino, have decided to go ahead with proposed strike. This could trigger fresh labour unrest in the sector almost three months after the workers of Hard Rock Casino went back to work.

The B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU) announced the decision on Twitter after the Grand Villa workers voted 88.6 per cent in favour of a strike, while the Starlight vote had a 78 per cent approval. “Bargaining committees are meeting to plan next steps,” the Union said in a tweet.

Stephanie Smith, the president of BCGEU, said the Hard Rock Casino contract “set a new standard in terms of wages and benefits,” which is why other venues’ workers chose to strike.

According to the new contract, the salaries were increased by 5–31 per cent, based on the pay scale. There will be other benefits like a pension plan. “I think that speaks to the uncertainty,” she said about the contract. “We are going to have to continue to work really hard to protect our members’ interests.”