Union ‘Confident’ Deal Will Get Done with Caesars Windsor
Posted on: April 2, 2025, 03:23h.
Last updated on: April 2, 2025, 07:08h.
- Workers pushing for new 3-year contract with Caesars Windsor
- Deadline for new deal set for 11:59 p.m. tonight or strike will follow
- Increase in salaries at the core of worker demands
A spokesperson for the union representing over 1,400 workers at Caesars Windsor casino is “confident” a deal can get done by tonight’s 11:59 p.m. deadline.
Strike Action If No Deal by Tonight
If the two sides don’t get a deal done by that time workers there will go on strike.
Money for the workers is at the core of the issue. Unifor Local 444 is looking for a new three-year contract for their members.
“We’re still working at the table,” said Manny Cardoso, Secretary Treasurer of Local 444, when reached by Casino.org. “We still have some distance between where we want to be and where we are. There’s still a lot of time in the day and things can change fast. Things are progressing. We’re optimistic we’re going to get somewhere.
OLG Sorting Out Next Operator of Casino
[Talks] have been good. It’s not contentious. Both sides are working for a deal. We have had negotiations in the past that have been contentious. This one doesn’t have that flavour to it. Both sides have their mandates but we are working hard.”
Last summer it was announced the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) was exercising its option to further extend its operating agreement with Caesars Entertainment Windsor, the current operator of the casino, for an additional seven months to March 2026.
In a statement then, OLG said extending the operating agreement would give them sufficient time to complete the procurement process and transition the day-to-day operations to the company that takes the baton, whether that was Caesars or another operator.
Caesars Looking to Renew Contract with OLG
Any contract the union ratifies with Caesars would apply for any future operator if Caesars doesn’t come back
“The workers feel they’ve fallen back [in terms of salary],” said Cardoso. “Wages haven’t kept up to where the gains have been made in other industries, and they are looking to make up some of that ground.”
The union represents workers facility wide at the casino – room attendants, front desk, dealers, janitors, slot techs.
“This bargaining with [Windsor Casino] usually sets the bar [for other casinos across Canada],” he added. Local 444 also represents Gateway Casino workers in Chatham, Sarnia and London.
Union Says Contract Talks Amicable
The OLG cannot talk publicly about the selection process for a new casino operator. Caesars, Bally’s and Mohegan are reportedly contenders for the casino operator license. Windsor has received over $95 million in payments since the casino opened its doors 30 years ago. Municipalities that host casinos receive a percentage of casino revenues based on a set formula, so Windsor is one of the highest revenue generators in Ontario.
“OLG is currently conducting a competitive procurement process to select a highly qualified service provider to handle day-to-day operations of the Windsor Casino,” said Tony Bitonti, spokesman from OLG, earlier today. “The integrity of the procurement process is of the utmost importance to OLG. OLG will continue to communicate about the procurement when there are material updates.”
Workers at Caesars Indiana Casino Authorize Strike
Meanwhile, things aren’t going quite as well for workers at a Caesars Indiana casino property. More than 140 employees at Caesars Southern Indiana Hotel & Casino, owned and operated by Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, have voted by a 98% margin to authorize a strike.
The Teamsters union says workers and casino management remain far apart on economic issues like retirement benefits.
Our members are united and ready to fight for the strongest possible agreement,” said Avral Thompson, President of Local 89. “This vote sends a clear message – we will not back down. If management won’t negotiate in good faith, we’re prepared to take action.”
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