Deal Reached In Casino Strike

By Corey Fischer

Nov 1, 2018 | 12:11 PM

A tentative deal has been reached for casino workers who have been on strike for more than four months in the Okanagan and Kamloops.

“We’ve reached a tentative deal for the Gateway Thompson-Okanagan Casinos,” says BCGEU president Stephanie Smith. “Our focus now is the ratification process. We need to make sure members understand the tentative deal and get a chance to vote before we release any details publicly.”

No details of the tentative deal have been released.

Tanya Gabara from Gateway Casinos confirms the tentative deal.

“We have no further comment while our employees review the terms of the tentative agreement, and while we wait for the union to provide further details regarding ratification,” Gabara tells Beach Radio News.

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Smith says the picket lines will stay up until the members have voted to accept the deal.

The union says dates for ratification votes have not yet been set.

Smith thanked the communities of Kamloops, Kelowna, Penticton and Vernon for their support.

“I also want to thank our friends in the labour movement for their solidarity over the past 18 weeks. And I want to thank the bargaining committee for their extraordinary work, especially over the last 10 days of intensive sessions.”

Almost 700 BCGEU members working at four Gateway Casinos in the Thompson-Okanagan have been on strike since June 29.

BCGEU represents staff at Playtime Casino in Kelowna, Lake City Casino in Vernon, and Cascades Casinos in Kamloops and Penticton.

The union members work in table games, as slot attendants, cashiers, in the count room, kitchen, security, guest services and maintenance.

by Corey Fischer