Hundreds of casino workers in Ontario just walked off the job

Nearly 900 casino workers at Pickering Casino Resort and Casino Ajax are on strike after contract negotiations failed to produce what their union calls "a fair deal."

Members of Unifor Local 1090 officially walked off the job at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 31. The strike involves a wide range of gaming staff, including dealers, slot technicians, cashiers, coin workers, and player service representatives.

"These workers kept the resort running through difficult years, and all they are asking for is fair wages and job security," said Unifor National President Lana Payne in a news release.

Pickering Casino Resort, a $500 million entertainment complex that opened its doors in April 2023, features a 96,000-square-foot casino with more than 2,200 slot machines, a 2,500-seat theatre and event venue, and a 275-room hotel.

Casino Ajax, which first opened in 2006, remains one of Durham Region's longest-operating gaming facilities. The casino, with 500 slot machines, has generated significant revenue for the community, and it was reported that, by 2022, the town received more than $100 million in revenue from it. 

This isn't the first labour dispute involving Ontario casino workers. In 2022, roughly 2,000 Unifor members at eight different casinos voted in favour of a strike over pension and benefits negotiations. Workers at both Pickering and Ajax casinos did walk off the job for about a week before an agreement was reached.

The current labour action has also sparked debate online, with some arguing that traditional casinos are facing increasing pressure from the rapid growth of online gambling sites.

Workers can now be seen marching the picket line at the entrance to Pickering Casino Resort located at 888 Durham Live Ave.

Despite the strike, both Pickering Casino Resort and Casino Ajax say they will remain open to the public and continue operating during the strike, according to pop-up notices on their websites.