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Honourable Trevor Jones, MPP
Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
400 University Avenue, 14th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M7A 1T7
RE: Use of Scab Workers at Great Canadian Entertainment Pickering, Ajax and Toronto Resort Casinos During Labour Dispute
Dear Minister Jones,
We are writing to bring your attention to an ongoing labour dispute with Great Canadian Entertainment (GCE).
Approximately 1,000 Unifor members are on strike or have been locked out by this employer. They have spent the last 10 weeks on a picket line, fighting for decent pay and working conditions. They have been subjected to violence on those picket lines by gaming patrons who have refused to respect our constitutional rights, even though we have obeyed picketing limitations as determined by the courts.
In addition, and just as egregious, is the employer’s decision to employ scabs or replacement workers during these labour disputes. We know that an employer’s ability to hire replacement workers during legal strikes or lockouts allow those same employers to avoid bargaining fairly with workers and in every single case the use of scabs prolong disputes.
GCE is now escalating its efforts and has hired even more replacement workers to perform jobs held by Unifor Local 1090 members at the Pickering Resort Casino. You will see here, job postings for bargaining unit positions, such as Table Games Dealers, that the company recently posted. The company has also hired replacement workers at the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, where security guards represented by our union have been locked out since July 23, 2026.
This situation is very troubling. Since July 31, 2026, Unifor Local 1090 members have been on strike at the Pickering and Ajax locations. These workers, including dealers, cage and coin operators, technicians, and food and beverage servers, commenced job action after rejecting an offer that did not include wage increases that started to close the pay gap with other Greater Toronto Area casino workers. Members at the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto were locked out when the two parties could not reach a deal that included wage increases to meet today's high cost of living.
Hiring replacement workers during a strike undermines the fundamental right to collective bargaining by tilting the balance of power in favour of management. When management substitutes unionized workers with scabs, it removes the incentive for GCE to negotiate in good faith, prolongs labour disputes, and deepens workplace hostility on a picket line where members area already facing violence from the public.
As mentioned above, aggression against striking workers has escalated in recent weeks, prompting police intervention and, in extreme cases, the hospitalization of injured striking workers. Unifor members face daily verbal and physical threats, leaving many feeling unsafe to exercise their fundamental right to strike.
Hiring replacement workers will exacerbate what is already a volatile situation.
These disputes as well as countless others highlight why the province of Ontario should enact anti-scab legislation. We would appreciate any time you may have to discuss this dispute and the need for improved labour laws in Ontario. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Lana Payne Samia Hashi
National President Ontario Regional Director
