The big guns are loading up to fight a spate of job losses at Casino Rama.
In the wake of three rounds of buyouts for long-time employees and the recent layoffs of 65 full-time employees, Unifor, the union representing employees at the casino, has been developing a game-plan.
That multi-faceted strategy will have several battlefronts; the goal is to put the decision makers at B.C.-based Gateway Casinos and Entertainment, which operates the casino, on notice that cutbacks and job losses will not go unchallenged.
“We cannot let executives that are sitting in air-conditioned offices in B.C. make decisions that negatively affect workers who’ve toiled in Casino Rama for years, sweating and bleeding for that place,” said Orillia’s Tshweu Moleme, a union representative at the casino.
In a letter to workers from Unifor National President Jerry Dias, the fiery union boss says “we do not accept the employer’s attempts to reduce the bargaining unit membership and will therefore take immediate action.”
The national Unifor braintrust met with the executive committee from the local union July 25. At that meeting a “fightback plan” was developed “to save good jobs” at Casino Rama.
Details will be unveiled at a local membership meeting Wednesday. That meeting will go from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Best Western Mariposa Inn.
“That meeting will be to address any membership concerns,” said Moleme, noting employees can drop in at any time throughout the day.
“We will take all questions, share where the Rama Committee, the Local, and the National leadership are in terms of fighting for our jobs, as well as sharing some of the latest news we have on all matters concerning the situation at Casino Rama," he added.
Top union officials have also scheduled an Aug. 6 meeting with Gateway Casinos management “to address the current situation.”
Two days later, on Aug, 8, Dias will be in the area for a “local event.” Details of that event have not yet been disclosed.
“The fightback plan will include a public mobilization campaign to harness government and community support,” said the letter from Dias.
Meetings with "key government officials are being scheduled within the next few weeks,” says the letter.
The union boss encourages all employees to get involved. He is asking employees to write to their city council members, Orillia Mayor Steve Clarke, Simcoe North MPP Jill Dunlop and other politicians in their jurisdictions.
In the letter, Dias likens the union to a family.
“A few short years ago, you joined the Unifor family. Today, that same family will fight alongside you to ensure that good jobs are not eliminated from your workplace,” the letter states.
“As Canada’s largest gaming sector union, Unifor will not accept B.C.-based Gateway Casinos Entertainment’s efforts to undermine your rights and jeopardize the viability of one of the region’s largest employers.”
