Employees of Casino Montreal have embarked on a strike, dissatisfied with the state of the current contract negotiations.
Casino Montreal employees have decided to voice their dissatisfaction with the current contract negotiations by embarking on a strike over the weekend. On 14 May, a group of casino dealers went on an unplanned four-hour strike the vent their frustration with the proposed contract terms offered by the property operator, Loto-Quebec.
Like other gaming venues across Canada, Casino Montreal was significantly impacted by the various lockdowns that first commenced in March 2020. Since then, the casino was shut down for extended periods, affecting the operations and staff members, too, as many were laid off. Moreover, the casino is now up and running again.
Four-Hour Warning Strike
Last Saturday, Casino Montreal dealers went on an unexpected strike that took the management by surprise. The move was intended to show the dealers’ support for the bargaining committee, which has reached an impasse in its discussions with Loto-Quebec over the new collective agreement. The strike commenced at 4 pm and continued until 8 pm.
During the strike, Loto-Quebec informed that its operations at Casino Montreal were not affected, and gaming tables continued to function normally. The only service impacted by the boycott was the poker tables, which ceased operations for four hours. The two sides cannot agree on several items, including hours, wager, and work organisation.
The previous collective agreement, which regulates the working conditions for the 521 dealers at the casino, expired on 31 March 2020. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) recently revealed that the negotiations hit a dead-end on 7 May. The Crown corporation noted that it wishes to continue discussions with the union but within the parameters similar to those at other casinos.
