After workers threatened to hit the picket lines in the Winnipeg area recently, the Manitoba Government and General employees Union (MGEU) approved an eight-year deal last week that helps avoid a strike.
In early December, workers threatened to walk off the job if an agreement between the Manitoba’s casinos and the union wasn’t reached by Dec. 23. That now leaves food and beverage workers on the job and union officials hailing the new collective bargaining agreement, which includes pay raises over much of the deal. Union officials, workers, and management appear to be pleased to see a work stoppage avoided.
“The significant wage increases for the next four years reflect how poorly this workforce has been treated,” MGEU President Kyle Ross said. “Now, these members will be able to finally catch up and keep up with the soaring cost of living. I can’t think of a better Christmas present for these deserving Manitobans than this deal.”
In related news, the state could possibly see even more casino workers in the coming years as well. The state’s premier has proposed looking at gaming expansion in the province, although that plan is in the early stages.
Reaching an Agreement, Avoiding a Strike
A potential strike would have affected Manitoba Lotteries’ McPhillips Station Casino and Club Regent Casino as well as Shark Club Gaming Centre, all located in Winnipeg. The Shark Club is owned by True North Entertainment, which owns the Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose hockey clubs, but has gaming machines on site that are owned and operated by Manitoba Lotteries.
Union employees had been working without a contract since 2020. Many employees were laid off during that time as well as casinos across the country shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic. Workers have argued that now that the industry has returned, employees should see boosts in pay as the casinos again see visitors back at the gaming tables and slots.
The new contract calls for wage increases ranging from 16% to over 40%, including masking up for past years with minimal pay bumps, according to union officials. Additionally, union workers will receive signing bonuses ranging from $600-$1,800.
“I want to thank the bargaining committee for their hard work and congratulate all members on a deal that will finally respect them for the work they do to keep customers well served while visiting the casinos,” Ross said.
Manitoba Considers More Gaming Options
Beyond the casino worker agreement, the province made some other Canadian casino gaming news recently. The provincial government is now looking at expanded gaming options for the first time since 2018.
In mid-December, Manitoba premier Wab Kinew is considering expanding gambling in the province as a means of “broader strategy for economic reconciliation with Indigenous communities,” according to Canadian Gaming Business.
Former premier Brian Pallister, a member of the Progressive Conservative party, was generally an opponent to gaming expansion, including denying of First Nations-operated Aseneskak Casino’s attempted move to Winnipeg. The property remains in Opaskwayak, about six hours northwest of the provincial capital.
Kinew, a member of the New Democratic Party and the first First Nations premier in Canadian history, sees things differently and outlined some of his plans for studying the issue and possibly expanding gaming in the province.
“The province has grown quite a bit since (casino expansion was paused in 2018), and so we took the decision that we can lift this pause while still ensuring that we’re being socially responsible with Liquor and Lotteries,” Kinew said in a news conference in mid-December. He added: “We need to look at that economic development side, and I think Liquor & Lotteries has shown that they are an effective generator of revenue for government.”
Manitoba currently has six First Nations casinos and two non-native casinos. Kinew replaced board members of the Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries (MLL) and reports say the new members are more amenable to expanded gaming in the province.
While gaming may have been paused in the province previously, that looks to be changing. Government officials see expansion as a way to benefit other areas of the province. Minister of Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism Glen Simard recently noted that the MLL “work collaboratively with stakeholders to lift the pause on gaming expansion in a targeted fashion to include supporting economic reconciliation and local economic development while maintaining (the corporation’s) commitment to supporting the communities they serve.”
Some members of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly have already expressed support for at least considering expansion. That includes Progressive Conservative member Obby Khan, who has also said more details on the plan need to be revealed first. He told the CBC that when considering expanding provincial revenue casinos and gambling “are all things you need to think about.”
