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Unifor is standing up for displaced food and beverage workers after the Parq Casino contracted out dozens of good jobs to the non-union firm Elizabeth Blau and Associates. Long-time Unifor Local 3000 members were forced to re-apply for their jobs, which eradicated seniority and reduced benefits.
Paragon Gaming relocated its Edgewater Casino to a new $600 million facility in late September. Re-branded as the Parq Casino and Resort, Unifor is arguing that food and beverage services in the new facility should remain union scope work.
“The casino is expanding massively and it should be a reason for workers to celebrate, but instead dozens of workers are facing an uncertain future,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “Paragon Gaming’s greed could come back to haunt them and their customers.”
Although grievances have been filed, Unifor continues to meet with the employer to try and resolve the issues prior to proceeding to arbitration. Unifor Local 3000 is also preparing for bargaining with the employer this fall.
The company’s solution—moving food service workers from the old site to jobs in gaming at the new site—is not viable because those jobs likely won’t last. The last time casino expanded, it overestimated gaming staff levels and new workers saw their shifts reduced dramatically.
