Mediator steps up in Caesars impasse
Talks to be held with company, union Wednesday
The ongoing impasse between Caesars Windsor and its striking workers will soon have more involvement of a third party: a provincial mediator.
The mediator is set to meet with both sides in the dispute Wednesday for what Unifor Local 444’s Dave Cassidy described as “exploratory discussions.”
“It will be the casino in one room and us (the union) in another room,” Cassidy said Tuesday.
“We are not back to the bargaining table. I want to be very clear ... The mediator will help us have some discussion to see if we can get back to the bargaining table. It’s a step in the right direction.” Wednesday will mark the 55th day of the strike by an estimated 2,300 employees of Caesars Windsor.
The casino resort has been closed for the entirety of that time. It’s the longest labour disruption in the history of Caesars Windsor. When the strike began April 6, those walking the picket lines needed winter clothing to deal with the cold weather.
Now the membership is trying to stay cool and hydrated in the midst of summer heat and humidity. Cassidy said the mood remains upbeat and the union will continue to support the striking workers with whatever they need. “People are fine. Nothing’s changed,” Cassidy said.
The membership has twice rejected tentative agreements reached between the company and the union’s bargaining team. The situation has led some in the community to suggest that neither Caesars Windsor management nor Unifor Local 444 are in tune with the striking workers.
But Cassidy denied the suggestion. “People are going to say what they need to say. I can’t tell people what they believe or what they feel. I know I have obligation to my membership. My membership has told me very clearly what they need.
“I am not out of touch with the membership.”
As for the possibility of the strike extending into the summer, Cassidy said: “That would be speculation.
“The fact of the matter is that the mediator will be coming in tomorrow (Wednesday) for exploratory discussions and we’ll go from there. We’ll see where that leads us.”
Over the course of the strike, Caesars Windsor management has cancelled hotel bookings up until and including June 16 and indefinitely postponed at least 12 shows at the Colosseum.
The venue’s July shows currently remain scheduled, including Canadian rock icon Bryan Adams (July 3), Canadian singer Sarah McLachlan (July 4), heavy metal band Disturbed (July 11) and comedian Trevor Noah (July 20). On Monday, Caesars Windsor announced new dates for a number of shows postponed due to the ongoing labour disruption.
THE RESCHEDULED SHOW DATES ARE:
Johnny Reid: 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 15 (All Ages). Note: Glass Tiger will not be performing at this show as previously scheduled.
Blink-182: 9 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 18. Buddy Guy: 9 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 3. Terry Fator: 9 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 17. Brian Wilson: 9 p.m., Sunday,
Nov. 25.
On the Caesars Windsor website, the casino asks that patrons stay tuned for rescheduled dates for the following shows: David Foster, Daniel O’Donnell, Darcy Oake, Lee Brice, Cole Swindell, Russell Peters and Pitbull.
Before the strike, Caesars Windsor had intended its 2018 concert roster to be a celebration of the casino resort’s 10th anniversary under the Caesars Windsor brand.