By Beach Radio News Vernon- Kate Bouey

Casinos dispute headed to mediation

Jun 11, 2018 | 3:53 PM

VERNON — A dispute between Gateway Casinos and its unionized workers is going to mediation.

The president of the BC Government and Service Employees Union, Stephanie Smith, said that negotiators from both sides will hold two meetings with a mediator later this week.

The meetings will take place Wednesday and Friday although Smith did not disclose the location.

She said wages and benefits are at the top of the union’s negotiating list.

“We live in one of the most expensive provinces in the country and, unfortunately, the wage offer from the employer when we were meeting with them would not have actually kept our members up with minimum wage increases that are announced by the provincial government,” Smith said.

Boogie The Bridge

Boogie The Bridge Event Information

Apr 19, 2024

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Sorry - did you say, 'Take your old guns to the post office?'

1h ago

SOUND OFF

SOUND OFF: Police confirm diversion of government-supplied drugs

20h ago

Workers at the four Okanagan casinos voted 93 percent in favour of strike action, according to the union boss, although they are hoping it won’t come to that.

Smith said another big concern for the union is working conditions.

“There is often a lot of abuse and abusive behaviour, whether it’s bullying from clients – that is put towards our members. In a climate where the customer is always right, sometimes management refuses to deal with those when they are raised.”

Union workers at four casinos in the Okanagan, including in Vernon, and in Kamloops earlier voted in favour of job action to meet demands.

About 100 workers rallied outside the BC Lottery Corporation building in Vancouver today.