Employees at the Regina gambling venue walked off the job June 3.

“Due to strike action at Casino Regina … guest counts at Casino Regina decreased year over year by approximately 30 per cent,” the Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation, or SGC, reported Tuesday.

SGC is a provincial Crown corporation, which owns and operates two casinos for the Saskatchewan government, one in Regina and another in Moose Jaw. The Moose Jaw venue was not affected by the job action.

In Regina, managers kept slot games running during the strike, but reduced the casino’s hours. Table games and a restaurant were closed.

According to the financial results for the first half of 2010, which includes a portion of the time Casino Regina was without its unionized workers, SGC saw a decrease in revenues.

SGC reported that the full impact of the strike had not yet been calculated.

However, for the three-month period of April to June 2010, gaming revenues were down $4.3 million, compared to the same time period in 2009.

On the other side of the ledger, expenses were also down because the wage bill was lower. In the April to June period, costs decreased $1.27 million, compared to 2009.

The full impact of the strike is not expected to be known until SGC releases a third-quarter financial statement, later this year.

The government has given SGC a net income target, for 2010, of $50.5 million. The corporation said Tuesday it will not reach that goal.

Two sets of employees walked a picket line during the labour dispute. About 465 members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, which represents card dealers, slot machine attendants and security personnel, were in a formal strike action.

Another 240 workers, members of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, also joined the picket line in support of their union colleagues.

Both unions eventually reached new collective agreements with SGC and everyone returned to work July 26.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/saskatchewan/story/2010/08/17/sk-casino-regina-financial-results-second-quarter.html#socialcomments#ixzz0wzJtqCwq

Complete media scan:

National Post - http://bit.ly/9uwfkq
Leader Post – http://bit.ly/dcLCs0
CBC – http://bit.ly/aQJd3F
Global Toronto – http://bit.ly/bOrpKA

Leader Post (Jul 26 update), “Details released…” – http://bit.ly/9Bhc4d
Leader Post (July 26), “Casino Regina strike is over” - http://bit.ly/akVDmL
The Star Pheonix, (ran same article as above) – http://bit.ly/9zsYWu
Leader Post (Jul 25), “Breaking News…” – http://bit.ly/bBbnZZ
CBC News Saskatchewan, “Casino Regina to reopen Tuesday” – http://bit.ly/9RIpus
Global Saskatoon, “Casino Regina employees heading back to work” – http://bit.ly/dnYJRX
Global Winnipeg, (ran same article as above) – http://bit.ly/bXp53l
NewsTalk 980 CJME (July 25), “Agreement reached at Casino Regina” – http://bit.ly/aShgPF
NewsTalk 980 CJME (July 24), “Possible deal at Casino Regina” – http://bit.ly/cgHb6m

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, July 25, 2010

PSAC and SGC reach an agreement at Casino Regina.

REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN – Let the games begin — again. After more than seven weeks on the picket line, members of PSAC and management at Casino Regina have struck a deal that will see Casino workers, including table dealers, cashiers, security and others, return to their jobs July 27.

The 425 members working at Casino Regina walked off the job on June 3, seeking night shift premiums, family leave and fair pay increases. The Union and the Employer resumed negotiations Monday and reached a tentative agreement Friday, which received approval from members at a ratification vote yesterday.

“I am in awe with the commitment and camaraderie of these members,” says Robyn Benson, Regional Executive Vice-President for the Prairie Region. “”The majority of these members have never dealt with a strike before, yet the solidarity, dedication and determination on the line was unparalleled.”

Hundreds of people showed their support for the striking workers over the past 52 days by walking the line in solidarity, sending letters and cards and donating food and money. Fellow unions, members of the public and Casino patrons all rallied in support.

“The casino patrons were some of our biggest proponents,” explains Fran Mohr, president of Local 40005 at Casino Regina. “We love what we do and no one wants to go on strike, but at some point you have to stand up for yourself. We have our families to consider and I think our clientele really respects that.”

The Public Service Alliance of Canada represents approximately 425 members working at Casino Regina. The Union has been in negotiations with the SGC since September of 2009 and its members have been without a contract since May 31, 2009.

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Casino strike: two views

I write regarding the July 13 letter, “Respect our tough decision” about the casino strike. The writer is correct: If people do not have anything nice to say they should not say anything.

Casino workers have rights. Why should they not stick up for those rights? They and their families deserve better benefits. They deserve a raise.

Politicians have no problem with the cost of living, but for many people rent is out of control and families cannot survive on minimum wage. What does does Brad Wall and his government care? They are living fine on taxpayers’ money

Every job is important and why should the casino workers not have a decent living? At least they are not on welfare. I congratulate them for standing up for their rights.

Tina Dacey
Regina

On Monday, July 19, after 45 days on the picket line, PSAC – Local 40005 and the Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation (SGC) returned to the bargaining table. Negotiations have now reconvened for the third day. Updates will be posted as they are available.

In the meantime, RWDSU has reached a tentative agreement with SGC and is set to return to work on Friday. A settlement, subject to ratification, was reached late Tuesday. We congratulate our brothers and sisters at RWDSU and hope we are able to reach a fair agreement for the 425 PSAC members still on the line.

In the news:

CBC (July 20) – http://bit.ly/df445v
CBC (July 21) – http://bit.ly/9HMJjO
NewsTalk 650 CKOM – http://bit.ly/9UZ883
Leader Post (July 21) – http://bit.ly/bM8YXk
Leader Post (July 22) – http://bit.ly/bCvfoJ
PSAC National – http://bit.ly/dosgCd
MSN Video – http://bit.ly/cN878O
Global Regina – http://bit.ly/d3iqxB

After the Honourable Ken Cheveldayoff declined a meeting to discuss the ongoing labour dispute, calling it “inappropriate” — despite the fact that he is the Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation (SGC) — PSAC members from Saskatoon decided to take matters into their own hands.

A small group of PSAC members showed up to Cheveldayoff’s constituency office to protest his decision to ignore the situation at hand. Bringing with them picket signs and PSAC flags, the Saskatoon members sent a strong message that they refuse to be ignored. A special thanks to our brothers and sisters in the Saskatoon area who stood in solidarity for Casino Regina workers.

In the news:

NewsTalk 650 CKOM – http://bit.ly/dz0oes
Saskatoonhomepage.ca (Online) – http://bit.ly/91u6vG
Saskatoonhomepage.ca (Video) – http://bit.ly/9HH8Zp
Mysask.com – http://bit.ly/bFmz50

To Local 4005 (Casino Regina):

The Lethbridge Area Council would like to buy you all a coffee. It make seem pounding the sidewalk for these many days to be endless, but the end is in sight. Everyday walking the picket line shows management your resolve in getting a fair and equitable settlement is growing stronger everyday. Everyday is walking in solidarity brings you, Brothers and Sisters, closer together and bring the Brothers and Sisters in the labour movement closer together. An injustice to one is an injustice to all. We, the Lethbridge Area Council, are standing in solidarity with our Brothers and Sisters at Local 40005. Your resolve will give us our resolve we need for our next round of bargaining with our employer. Have a coffee on us.

In Solidarity,

Lethbridge Area Council

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Brothers and Sisters:

On behalf of Local 30070, Edmonton Inside Telephone Workers (CATi) SSO (Statcan) we stand in solidarity with Casino Regina local 40005.

Everyone has the right to the tree of life and wages that mean a life  of dignity and benefits that do the same.

In solidarity,

Bernard Brasen President Local 30070 PSAC CATI Edmonton RO SSO

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

July 15, 2010

Dear Casino Regina Employees,

It has recently come to our attention that one of our members has written a letter to the editor, in the Regina Leader Post – July 6, 2010, regarding your strike. First and foremost, we would like it to be known that we are not in agreement with the derogatory comments made by the member, directed at workers employed by the Casino. While we cannot control individual choices of expression, we do sincerely regret that this has transpired.

CUPE Local 3967 represents approximately 5900 Healthcare workers in the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region, who have been without a contract for over two years. We are working diligently to get a fair and equitable contract for our Members. There are over three hundred classifications we represent, none of whom are more valuable than another. Our opinion of all public sector workers is in concert with this thinking – every public sector worker in this province has a right to fairness, equality and respect.

On behalf of our members I extend this Local’s apology and instead ask that you accept our respect for your right to equality and fairness in your fight for a new collective agreement. Further to which, a memo will be sent out to all of our facilities to encourage our members to show their solidarity and join your efforts on the picket line.

In this same spirit, I am pleased to inform you that on behalf of the membership of CUPE Local 3967, Brother Jim Carr, Secretary-Treasurer, has enclosed a cheque in the amount of $1000.00 to your Strike Fund to help support the job action required.

CUPE Local 3967 does support the position that the Casino Workers have taken in your current round of negotiations and is hopeful that you are able to come to a quick and fair settlement.

In Solidarity,

Sinda Cathcart
President
CUPE Local 3967

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

To my brothers and sisters on the picket line in Regina:

I express my support, to your hard endeavors during your labour dispute with Casino Regina.

Walking the line is never easy, stick together knowing that all of the members throughout our region are in support of your fight.   You have proven to us all here that you are strong and may you continue to find that strength in your will, and beliefs, and together united.

I personally will recommend that people not visit Regina,  and the Casino for pleasure, until your fight is complete and you have the contract that you are fighting for.

Yours in solidarity,

Garth J. Caron
President Local 30009 USGE
V.P. Calgary Area Council
V.P. Calgary area Human Rights Committee
Alternate Prairie Region Naim

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Greetings PSAC Members at Casino Regina,

Our Local wishes to send Solidarity greetings and support to you, our union Brothers and Sisters on strike at Casino Regina. As we enter into Bargaining with the Ontario Lottery Gaming Corporation for the first time we want you to stand firm on your demands as your gains will be ours and will enhance the benefits of all workers in the Gaming Sector. Stand Strong. Stand Vigilant. One day Longer. One day Stronger.

In Solidarity

PSAC Local 533 Bargaining Committee.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Women of the 2010 Maritimes Women’s Regional Conference

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, July 18, 2010

PSAC members to picket Cheveldayoff’s office

REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN – The Honourable Ken Cheveldayoff has declined a meeting requested by Casino Regina workers to discuss the ongoing labour dispute – now entering its seventh week – calling it “inappropriate”, despite the fact that he is the Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation (SGC).

“The only thing ‘inappropriate’ is that Cheveldayoff refuses to discuss important matters regarding the Casino Regina strike, a serious labour dispute that falls under his responsibilities as Minister Responsible for SGC,” says Robyn Benson, Regional Executive Vice-President Prairies for the PSAC. “It’s cowardly, but furthermore, it’s disrespectful to the striking workers that have been on the line for nearly 50 days.”

PSAC members from the Saskatoon area will picket in front of the Minister’s Constituency Office – as he is also MLA for Saskatoon Silver Springs – sending a strong message that they won’t be ignored. The peaceful protest will commence at 11:00 a.m on Monday, July 19.

PSAC members at Casino Regina have been on strike since June 3, 2010. The Union has been in negotiations with the Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation (SGC) since September of 2009 and its members have been without a contract since May 31, 2009.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada represents approximately 425 members working at Casino Regina. PSAC represents 172,000 workers, the majority of whom are in the federal public sector.

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40005
DAILY UPDATE
July 15  DAY 43

WHAT AN EXCITING DAY!!!! Our members started picketing at 8:30 a.m. – this included our 8:30 a.m. teams and our 11:30 a.m. teams.  Then at 10:45 they marched over to the Eagles CLUB for our general membership meeting.   Robyn announced the new seven day picketing policy which whipped the group into a frenzy.  They were very excited about the prospect.  She also reinforced this was to ensure we have solid lines. We discussed the principles that the counter offer would be the basis for our proposals.  This was overwhelmingly supported by the members.  We had an opportunity for some questions and answers.   Then we had a hotdog lunch.

At approximately 1:15 p.m. we marched back to the Casino and then in a single line we marched into the entrance of the Casino and circled around the parking lot — TWICE, without incident — chanting “What do we want? When do we want it?”  We then paced out 25 meters from Saskatchewan Dr. to where the city property would end and the Casino property begins and lined the sidewalks on both sides of the street with picketers with PSAC flags, shouting SHAME to the customers who drove into the Casino.  We kept the intersection blocked as well while the walk light was on.   The Head of Security for the Casino was soon out speaking with the Group 5 security, along with several managers and then we soon had three police cars pull into the property.  They watched our actions for some time, then three police officers came over to speak with us.

It was a very empowering afternoon for our members.  There were approximately 30 or so that were unable to come in early for the meeting and picketing so we had one evening shift from 6 – 10.  I met with them at the beginning of the shift, had the report from the meeting and reinforced our stepping it up and how we needed this done.  Helana, Strike Captain,  reported that it went extremely well all through the shift. The spirits are high and the members are pumped.