Unionized Gateway Casino worker appear ready to place their bets on strike action.
More than 675 members of the BCGEU employed at Gateway Casinos in 91大黄鸭, Vernon, Kamloops and Penticton voted 93.1 per cent in favour of strike action.
In the vote taken June 4 to 6, more than 88 per cent of the unionized workers participated.
鈥淕ateway workers in the Okanagan are sending a clear message to their employer: they will not settle for less than the fair wages, benefits and respect they deserve,鈥� sid B.C. Government Employees Union president Stephanie Smith.
Negotiations for a new collective agreement broke off in May, the two sides far apart on the issues of wages and benefits.
Smith characterized the Gateway offer as unacceptable. 鈥淭he wages Gateway are offering won鈥檛 even keep ahead of the planned minimum wage increases. These workers are the heart of their casinos.
鈥淕ateway is a successful company in a highly profitable industry鈥攖hey can afford to pay their workers what they are worth.鈥�
Smith said strike preparations are now underway.鈥淕ateway Casino workers in the Okanagan are ready to do whatever it takes to get a fair contract with their employer鈥攊ncluding strike, if necessary.鈥�
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