Workers rallying at BCLC offices on Monday at 12:30pm

(Vancouver) - Members of the BC Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) working at casinos are petitioning BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC) on Monday, June 11 asking them to ensure fairness in wages and working conditions at casinos across the province.

Workers from several BC casinos will gather outside the BCLC office at 2940 Virtual Way in Vancouver for a rally at 12:30pm with BCGEU president Stephanie Smith. After the rally, a delegation will enter the office to deliver hundreds of petition cards signed by casino workers to the BCLC.

"Casino workers from across the province have had enough," says Smith. "We are appealing to BCLC to help ensure fairness across the gaming industry."

"When companies like Great Canadian Gaming and Gateway Casinos rake in billions of dollars year after year, but refuse to pay workers a living wage, there is something wrong with the industry," Smith continued. "We're asking BCLC to step in and fix the problems in the gaming sector – starting with the way workers are treated."

Over 400 BCGEU members at Hard Rock Casino Vancouver have been on strike since May 11, 2018 and over 675 workers at Gateway Casinos in the Okanagan voted 93.1% in favour of striking last week. Over 1,000 staff working at Gateway's Grand Villa and Starlight casinos in the lower mainland are also in bargaining with their employer.

"Casino workers are asking for fair wages, benefits and respect on the job," says Smith. "It's the staff who make their casinos profitable and they deserve to share in that success."

The petition, signed by hundreds of casino workers across the province, states as follows:

Gaming in BC suffers from poor management, disrespectful workplace atmosphere, low public perception and confidence, exploitative working conditions and excessive secrecy.

In light of this, we demand that British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) provide:

Immediate intervention to take responsibility for the conduct and management of gaming on behalf of the government as set out in the Gaming Control Act by 

1. Ensuring a fair and speedy resolution to the labour dispute at Hard Rock Casino Vancouver; and 

2. Enforcing fairness across the entire industry. 

BCGEU represents thousands of casino workers in the province. BCGEU members are working in table games, as slot attendants, cashiers, in the count room, kitchen, security, guest services, theatres and maintenance.

UWU/MoveUP