Unifor Local 444 members at the Dresden and Point Edward Casinos have ratified new three-year contracts with Gateway Casinos & Entertainment.

"These contracts provide a framework for negotiations with private corporations that have taken over casinos from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation," said Deb Tveit, assistant to the Unifor national president. "The bargaining committee resisted concessions in the move from the public to private sector while also achieving wage parity with sites that remained under OLG control."

Unifor Local 444 represents approximately 250 members in two bargaining units, consisting of slot attendants, slot technicians, dealers, servers and housekeeping staff at the Dresden and Port Edward casinos. The new agreements were ratified by 94.4 per cent in Dresden and 88.1 per cent in Point Edward.

The deal secures wage increases, pension improvements, and zone language covering job security in the event of relocation.

"Unifor achieved most of our key goals in this negotiation and that's reflected in the overwhelming vote of support for the contracts," said James Stewart, president of Unifor Local 444. "As the largest union in the gaming sector we will continue to fight to maintain good paying jobs in this highly profitable sector."

Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.

(Unifor)