Unifor National is the labor union representing thousands of casino workers across Canada. Jerry Dias, Unifor National President, wants to see a positive change in the gaming field and the eventual reopening of brick-and-mortar venues that have remained closed for nearly six months now. Casino operators could follow the same public health protocols used by other businesses.
Mid-March all land-based casinos across Canada had to temporarily close for business and some of them have not relaunched in-person gaming almost six months later. The labor union protecting their employees want to see some changes in the uncertain situation the local gaming field is currently at and this could happen via the safe reopening of those gambling venues.
Unifor National
Mr. Dias pointed out that it is time for something to happen when it comes to the casino venues still closed. Most of them have already had their plan for safe reopening approved by the authorities and all safety protocols needed are going to be implemented. The protection of both the casino employees and casino patrons is of utmost importance for every casino management ready to relaunch daily operation.
Some casino staff members have remained home over the past nearly six months and they want to be able to support themselves and their families. Mr. Dias compared the gaming field with other businesses that have already relaunched their operation, such as supermarkets, gyms, and restaurants. He expressed an opinion that this limbo is unjustified at the moment and it is also threatening for brick-and-mortar casinos.
Gaming hotspots in British Columbia and some parts of Ontario are among the last locations to remain closed nearly six months after the beginning of lockdown. The lack of gaming revenue generated by them has also taken its toll on the host communities of these venues, as well as on their city coffers. Various projects on a local level have been stalled as a result.
B.C., Ontario Casinos
The gaping hole in the budgets of these areas could also lead to a tax hike and more. Mr. Dias also stated that many of the individuals working at shutdown casinos have already lost the right to bag benefits which is taking its toll on their daily life. Workers of all closed casinos were laid off mid-March and some of them remain so to this day.
Almost 9,000 individuals working at casino venues in Canada are unionized and protected by Unifor, which calls for extensive protection campaign seeking the reopening of these casinos. It could be recalled that back in March, the labor union reminded that laid-off employees should receive a proper coding of Records of Employment when being laid off.
Unifor received multiple reports pointing out that the Records of Employment were not being handled properly, leading to a lack of employment insurance benefits. It should be taken into account that the said records had to feature the “shortage of work” code. Any coding different than that results in the eventual delay of benefits distribution.
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