Collective agreement negotiations resumed with your Employer on July 5^th and 6^th. It was an intense round of talks that saw the parties agree in good faith to soon begin a trial shift selection process, and on Thursday, a day of disappointment when the Employer finally responded to the Union's monetary proposals.

On a positive note, in the next few weeks, members working in the table games department will be notified that a trial shift selection/shift pick will soon be commencing. Your committee has been forcefully advocating for an increase in the number of fixed bid lines for all of our members at River Rock. Fixed bid lines allow our members the opportunity to work consistent hours, and have consistent days off. River Rock has not had a casino shift pick for a number of years. Too many of you work on a flex schedules, which means start times at work can change on a daily basis. We want to see more fixed lines, and are pleased to announce that with the cooperation of the Employer, over 100 new fixed bid lines will be offered to our members working in the table games department. This is a trial selection/pick only, as the parties have yet to come to agreement on a number of casino scheduling proposals, but it's a start, and your committee did not want to delay this trial while the parties are still negotiating. Though this trial only effects table game members, we are hopeful that the Employer will include other departments within the casino. The new schedules will most likely come into effect in late August or early September, and the Union will be there to monitor selection process.

On a less optimistic note, the Employer responded to the Unions monetary package, and what they came back with on Friday was without question, disappointing, and thoroughly inadequate. Our members at River Rock provide important services to patrons and Employer alike. We deserve fair wage increases, and fair benefits, and your committee is not going to stop fighting until we have them. We let the Employer know that we were not impressed. They know it, and can expect vigorous talks when the parties meet again on July 19^th and 20^th.

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Many thanks for all of your patience and your support!!

In solidarity

Your Bargaining Committee: Cherry Huang, Hayman Sung, Harvinder Jaswal, San Chen, Glenn Matheson, Zenaida Ordonez, Watson Tseng, Eric Escobar

Chad McQuarrie, Staff Representative - Negotiations

Linsay Buss, Staff Representative – Negotiations