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Halifax Casino workers start union drive

Gaming workers in Halifax demand respect, dignity


Shunpiking Online has received the following press release from the The Service Employees International Union.


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All that glitters is not gold

HALIFAX, NS (25 February 2007) - WORKERS employed by Casino Nova Scotia in Halifax have now begun the process of forming a union in order to win increased wages, benefits, job security and overall fair treatment. Casino workers, who are employed by Great Canadian Gaming Corporation (GCGC), have chosen to launch a union organizing drive this month, working with organizers and members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 902.

"Casino workers in Nova Scotia are the lowest paid and have the lowest level of benefits and job security of any gaming sector workers in Canada," said SEIU Canada National Organizer Tony Tracy. "Many of these workers wages are at or very near the provincial minimum wage, in an industry which is very profitable and which has far higher wage standards in the remainder of the country."

Within 24 hours of the union's organizing drive with Casino workers, management at Casino Nova Scotia had circulated and posted anti-union materials throughout all employee-only areas of the casino. These employer materials indicated that the casino management is "committed to remaining union-free."

"Management at the Halifax Casino seem focused on spreading anti-union myths and fables throughout the workplace, rather than working towards increasing workers wages and real benefits," said SEIU Canada National Organizer Inessa Petersen. "Casino workers in Halifax deserve to negotiate fairly with their employer to arrive at a fair collective agreement."

"Workers throughout Nova Scotia deserve respect and job security," said SEIU Local 902 President Cynthia Wamback. "SEIU is proud to be working with the employees at the Halifax Casino, and we are committed to providing any necessary resources to assist them with their organizing drive."

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) is the largest and fastest growing union in North America, with 98,000 workers in Canada and 1.8 million workers worldwide.


For further information, contact:
Tony Tracy, SEIU Canada National Organizer
Cell: 902-233-1713 / Email: tracyt@seiu.ca

Inessa Petersen, SEIU Canada National Organizer
Cell: 416-729-8849 / Email: peterseni@seiu.ca
SEIU Local 902 office: 902-455-1095



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