"Anti-GALA" highlights casino issues

TORONTO – The Ontario Public Service Employees Union held an "anti-Gala" at the Brantford Labour Centre Wednesday, to point out the importance of work done by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.

About 200 OPSEU members have been on strike against the commission since Nov. 1 in search of a first contract. The strike is a significant factor in delaying the opening of the Brantford Charity Casino.

The opening Gala, originally scheduled for today, has been postponed until Nov. 19.

Sipping ginger ale from a wineglass and nibbling a tuna sandwich, OPSEU President Leah Casselman said, "If we are still on strike when the Gala is held, we will be a very conspicuous presence at the event."

Staff of the AGCO enforce the province’s laws on licenced premises (overservice, service to minors, watering drinks, illegal liquor, etc.) and on gambling (ensuring machines aren’t tampered with, employees are registered and payoffs are fair).

Casselman said, "We have a great deal of sympathy with the charities that will depend on the casino for revenues. It’s a sad commentary that government cuts to important services mean a lot of agencies must look to gambling revenues to continue their work."

Casselman presented Brantford Food Bank chair Doug Aitchison with a cheque for $434. "This represents approximately 15 seconds worth of the province’s daily $2.5 million take from casinos. We recognize it is a drop in the bucket, but it shows our concern for people who are suffering in today’s economy," she said.

John Worton, president of Local 565 which represents the striking AGCO staff, talked of the issues separating the two sides. "We want our benefits defined in the collective agreement. We want a way to grieve if we are not paid appropriately. We don’t want the employer to be able to lay people off for up to 90 days with no reference to seniority."

Worton said the union was prepared to return to the bargaining table at any time. "When we left, we had just handed the employer a response to their latest position. We are looking for a reaction from them."

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For further information:

Katie FitzRandolph (OPSEU Communications)
(416) 448-7440 or cell (416) 561-5651

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