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Casino workers in Coquitlam vote against contract ratification

BCGEU said workers will continue to picket the Hard Rock Casino in Coquitlam
Workers at the Hard Rock Casino in Coquitlam will continue to walk the picket lines after they voted down an agreement struck last week between the facility-operator Great Canadian Gaming Corporation and the BCGEU.

The picket lines are staying up at the Hard Rock Casino in Coquitlam after workers voted to reject a contract that was negotiated between their union and management last week.

Stephanie Smith, president of the BCGEU, which represents 400 workers at the facility, said it was a close vote but there was too much uncertainty around job protection and layoffs. 

“They voted to reject this agreement and continue to fight on the picket line, and I support them on that,” she said.

While negotiations were taking place, Smith said management has been making changes to its business operations, which she believes includes phasing out poker and craps and the dealer jobs that go with those games. The company, Great Canadian Gaming Corp., would not confirm those claims when contacted by The Tri-City News on Thursday. 

Poker and craps dealers make up a significant number of the union’s membership, Smith said, adding that the belief among members that job losses and demotions could be imminent led to the failure of Wednesday’s ratification vote. 

“[The changes] are going to result in some pretty large layoffs and that is going to have a devastating impact on our members,” she said. “It left them with too much uncertainty to accept the agreement.”

Now that the ratification vote has failed, Smith said negotiating teams from the company and union will have to get back to the bargaining table.

In the meantime, the picket lines will remain at the entrances of the parking lot to the casino and Smith said she hopes the community will continue to support the workers. 

In an emailed statement to The Tri-City News, the company said they will be considering next steps in the coming days.

“We are disappointed to learn of the vote results for ratification of the tentative agreement,” said Jimmy Ho, the general manager of the Hard Rock Casino. “We will be assessing next steps and potential options in the coming days, but in the meantime, Hard Rock Casino Vancouver remains open for business.”