Casino Regina employees are ready to celebrate a long-anticipated contract arrangement that would cover their operation over a total of five years. A new collective agreement has been reached between Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation and the Public Service Alliance of Canada. It has improved conditions on offer, as well as a 4.5-percent increase that would take place over the following two years.
The newly arranged contract covers a five-year period covering the years 2017-2021, with December 31, 2021 as final date. Such a retroactive contract inking was mandatory, as Casino Regina staff members saw the end of their contracts in 2016. Ever since then, they have been immersed in conversation and negotiations powered by the labor union protecting their interest. When all was said and done, the casino staff is going to see a 4.5-percent wage increase over the next years.
New Collective Agreement Inked
By the end of this year, they will have the chance to experience a 1-percent surge, followed by a 1.5-percent one in 2020, as well as a 2-percent hike by the end of 2021. Marianne Hladun, regional executive vice-president for PSAC Prairies, stated that initial projections were for a bigger wage hike. The unionized workers also gave their nod to the proposed conditions.
In addition to the wage increase, casino workers also witnessed a 0.5-percent increase to their pension plan. Planning their future would become much easier now that the increase is implemented. Casino workers would also be able to enjoy more paid leave days covering religious and cultural traditions, bereavement leave, as well as family matters leave. They have been seeking improvement in this sphere ever since 2016.
Workers of Saskatchewan corporations to the likes of SaskTel, SaskPower, and SaskEnergy also sought better contract conditions earlier this fall, but the labor union representing them was not content with conditions similar to the ones casino workers heard this week. Unifor refused to ink a collective agreement featuring hikes below the 1-percent threshold.
Conditions Stir the Pot
Mrs. Hladun said that comparing the two industries is not the way to go, as casino workers have different lifestyle and background, as well as different expectations to cover in the workplace. Furthermore, the unionized workers at Casino Regina equate to 335, whereas the individuals relying on Unifor amount to more than 4,600. Following a couple of months of negotiations and conversation back and forth, Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation and Public Service Alliance of Canada came up with several proposed improvements.
Casino Regina staff had to vote on the most appropriate one, eventually giving its nod to the 4.5-percent wage increase in addition to other benefits. Dealers, table games supervisors, and customer service representatives among others cast their votes. This summer was a heated one, as a strike was eyed.
Workers claimed they did not see adequate collaboration with the Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation and address their concerns. They had the legal right to commence a walkout at midnight on July 26. Approval of a tentative agreement prevented this from happening. Back in 2010, they went on a 53-day walkout, which ended up affecting the financial performance of the casino venue
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