It has been announced that workers at Casino Rama, one of Ontario's largest casino resorts, have voted overwhelmingly to become members of Unifor.
Via release, Unifor announced that the Casino Rama workers now join thousands of gaming and hospitality employees across Canada who are already represented by the union.
The vote took place on Thursday (February 12) at Casino Rama with oversight from the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) and the count took place in Toronto at the OLRB office. The new bargaining unit of roughly 1,700 workers includes dealers, cashiers, slot workers, food and beverage staff, environmental services, gift shop attendants, hotel, valet, entertainment and other staff.
Work will now begin to negotiate a first contract at the casino resort northeast of Orillia.
The workers join more than 15,000 hospitality workers, including more than 7,000 working at casinos, already represented by Unifor across Canada. Unifor also represents workers at Caesars Windsor, Great Blue Heron Gaming, Manitoba Lotteries Corp and other gaming sites, as well as several hotels across Canada.
Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing more than 305,000 workers. It was formed Labour Day weekend 2013 when the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union merged.
(With files from Unifor)