Hospitality Gaming

Hospitality Gaming

Unifor represents 17,600 members working in the diverse hospitality and gaming sector. Our membership is divided into three broad categories. One-third works in hotels - including major chains (like Fairmont, Radisson and Delta) and stand-alone facilities. Another third works in the gaming industry at casinos, racetracks, and government gaming and lottery operations (Unifor is Canada’s largest gaming sector union). The remainder are employed in restaurants, cafes, and other hospitality facilities.

Unifor reaches tentative agreements with casinos in Pickering and Ajax

TORONTO—The strike at two Great Canadian Gaming Corporation (GCGC) casinos in Ontario could soon be over after tentative agreements were signed today.

“My sincere congratulations to the Local 1090 members who took on a powerful employer to fight for what was fair,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National Secretary-Treasurer. 

Unifor members at Pickering Casino Resort and Casino Ajax have been on strike since July 29, 2022. Details of the tentative agreement will be released following the membership ratification votes to be held on August 5.

Hospitality and Gaming Sector Profile

Sector Facts and Figures Total GDP Share of Canadian GDP $35.1 billion 1.78% Exports ––– Imports ––– Foreign Trade Balance 5-year change ––– ­­––– Total Employment (2021) Change since 2011 1,059,500...
Hospitality Gaming

Unifor statement regarding member struck by a car at Casino Woodbine

A Unifor member of Local 1090 on a legal picket line at Casino Woodbine was struck deliberately by a car late on the evening of July 31, 2022.

Members of Unifor Local 1090 have been on strike at Great Canadian Gaming Corporation’s Pickering Casino Resort and Ajax Casino since Saturday, July 23, 2022 fighting for wage increases and to reduce the employer’s reliance on a precarious part-time workforce. 

In Canada, workers locked out or on strike may picket other sites owned by the employer, which is why a legal picket line was in place at Casino Woodbine.

Unifor picket line begins at Casino Woodbine

TORONTO—After negotiations broke down earlier today between Unifor and Great Canadian Gaming Corporation (GCGC), a secondary picket line was erected at GCGC-owned Casino Woodbine.

“Our members, workers at Pickering Casino and their other properties, are fighting for equality with workers at other casinos. They are looking for fairness and Unifor is with them in this struggle,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National Secretary-Treasurer.

New members sign first tentative agreement

Unifor Local 1090 members at Shorelines Casino Peterborough and Shorelines Casino Thousand Islands bargained a first tentative agreement on July 24, 2022. 

They credit the co-ordinated gaming sector bargaining table for the gains made in the contract, to be ratified later by the full membership of the unit.

Unifor reaches tentative agreements with six casino units

TORONTO—The bargaining committees for Unifor members at six Great Canadian Gaming Corporation (GCGC) casinos in Ontario have signed a tentative agreement.

“Gaming sector workers were pivotal to ensuring GCGC casinos rebounded following the COVID-19 shut-downs,” said Chris MacDonald, Assistant to the Unifor National President. “It has been a very difficult period for casino workers and these tentative agreements are a step in the right direction.”

Casino negotiations likely to go down to the wire

TORONTO—Most secondary issues have been resolved in productive discussions with Great Canadian Gaming Corporation (GCGC) on Thursday, but the most challenging negotiations are underway today, says Unifor.

“Unifor bargaining committees for eight casinos worked hard on Thursday to finalize many outstanding issues, paving the way for today’s heavy-lifting on monetary matters,” said Lana Payne, Unifor Secretary-Treasurer. “The momentum is a positive sign but we’re not out of the woods. We anticipate talks will go down to the wire tonight.”

Workers at Hilton Garden Inn Ajax ratify new contract

AJAX—Wage increases and sweeping improvements to benefits are features of a new collective agreement for Unifor members working at the Hilton hotel in Ajax.

“Protecting wages from inflation was a top priority in this round of bargaining,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National Secretary-Treasurer. “I congratulate the team at Local 1090 for negotiating gains in the new contract.”