Montreal gaming employees stage demonstration to assert demands
Montreal, QC - Unionized casino workers in Montreal are on a picket line, demanding a fairer wage and better working conditions that keep pace with rising living costs.
Cry for a Comfortable Life
Constantinos Alexiou, a loyal casino worker affiliated with the CSN union, voiced the collective frustration, stating, "It's high time we stood up for ourselves and fought for decent pay. With the cost of living constantly spiraling, it's becoming increasingly tough to make ends meet."
Approximately 1,700 CSN union members across four different casinos and the province's online gaming platform, Espacejeux, have been striking since late June. Their main demands include a wage hike that mirrors inflation, an additional dollar per hour, and improved terms of employment.
Bickering over Wage Competitiveness
Loto-Quebec, the gaming corporation, has previously asserted that their wages are market- competitive, boasting an average 20 percent above the industry standard. However, the union argues that these figures are not representative of today's competitive job market.
One union representative pointed out, "We're open to negotiations. But Loto-Quebec has been cutting wages by 2.5 percent yearly for the past five years. Now, they're pushing new hires to accept a 10 percent pay reduction."
The union advocate further emphasized the immediate need for action, asserting, "We're in the final stretch. We need a wage that simply keeps up with living expenses to avoid drowning in debt year after year."
In a public plea, the union representative appealed to the community, "We understand the attraction of gambling, especially in these tough economic times - even we can't resist dreaming of winning the jackpot. But for now, we kindly ask you to reconsider visiting the casinos, limit your online gaming, or abstain completely. Every bit counts."
[1] Recent search results reveal limited information about the 2021 strike or its aftermath, suggesting that no concrete updates have been made public. For up-to-date information, contact Loto-Quebec or the CSN union directly.
- Despite the ongoing strike by unionized casino workers in Quebec, gamblers continue to flock to casino-and-gambling venues in Montreal, maybe questioning whether their patronage contributes to the workers' demands for better salaries and working conditions.
- The CSN union, representing approximately 1,700 casino workers across Quebec, has been on strike since late June, calling for a wage hike that matches inflation, an additional dollar per hour, and improved terms of employment in the casino-games industry.
- Union representatives argue that that Loto-Quebec's claims of market-competitive wages are no longer applicable in today's job market, given the corporation's history of annual wage cuts, including a proposed 10 percent pay reduction for new hires.
- As the strike enters its final stages, the CSN union has asked the community for support, requesting a reduction in casino visits, online gaming, or complete abstinence, noting that every bit counts in their fight for a living wage that keeps pace with increasing living costs.
