Doors open to patrons after 60-day strike
OLG mum about how much revenue was lost during 60-day workers strike
A steady stream of customers returned to Caesars Windsor when the doors reopened Thursday morning following a 60-day strike. “I think everybody should be happy it’s over — the casino, all the people (in Windsor) who rely on tourism,” said Windsor’s Ron Mayville, who was one of the first to enter. “I didn’t go anywhere else. I like going here. I’m happy today. I missed it. It’s always fun to come here.”
Morgan Malewicz, also of Windsor, arrived minutes after 11 a.m. to eat at the Spago restaurant inside the casino complex with her father and sister. “We really missed going to lunch there, so that’s the exciting part for us,” Malewicz said. “It felt like the strike was way longer (than 60 days). I also bring my grandmother here, we go to an occasional show, so that has created a lot of good memories. It’s nice to have everything back to normal.”
But for nearly a dozen workers — who would not identify themselves or said they were not allowed to talk to media — there were mixed emotions about returning after a bitter strike that was not resolved until Monday ’s third vote on a tentative contract following two failed attempts.
“If you don’t have something good to say, don’t say anything at all,” said one worker sitting outside while on a break.
Added another with a wry smile: “I had to come back or I would be laid off.”
Other employees in the valet area of the hotel who greeted familiar returning customers with hugs and smiles were happy to be back.
“It absolutely does (feel good to be back),” said one female employee.
Tim Woodworth of Bad Axe, Mich., arrived at 11 a.m. at Caesars with his suitcase prepared for a three-day stay.
“It was too bad it was closed, but I’m glad it’s back open,” he said. “I didn’t go anywhere else. I live in the middle of nowhere to begin with, so it is two hours to get to Detroit anyway.
“I like it best here because it’s bigger, clean and non-smoking. The rules are more friendly and I get the exchange rate. I wish the strike never happened, but there was nothing you can do about it. I’m just happy to be back.” The casino’s management team was glad to be back in business. “We have been busy since we reopened at 11 with a steady stream coming in,” said Jhoan Baluyot, communications manager for Caesars Windsor.
She said there were no glitches since managers worked on reopening plans throughout the twomonth strike by 2,300 members of Unifor Local 444.
“So, we were prepared and ready to go whenever (the strike) ended,” Baluyot said. “Our market buffet is open, the hotel is receiving guests.” The casino’s 758 rooms are nearly fully booked for the weekend, she said.
Caesars publicized online a promotion that offers a $99 room rate for customers who booked online Thursday. The offer was good for a weekday stay between now and June 14.
The casino has rescheduled 11 previously postponed concerts, and announced Barry Manilow and Amy Schumer as additions to the lineup.
There are other promotions aimed at bringing back Total Rewards patrons, Baluyot said. “We are optimistic (business will quickly return to normal) because of the feedback we have already received and our phones are ringing off the hook.”
Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. would not speculate on how much revenue it lost. The casino’s gross gaming revenue — for the gaming floor only and before expenses were paid — from Jan. 1 to March 31 was $68.1 million. The next quarterly report will be done in midsummer, the OLG said. It will not be involved in promotions to bring customers back.
“We are confident that Caesars Windsor will continue to offer their patrons the excellent customer experience they have come to expect,” said OLG spokesman Tony Bitonti.
The City of Windsor receives quarterly payments from the OLG based on gaming revenues. The last payment was $2.05 million for the first three months of this year. The next payment in July will be affected by the closure. How much isn’t yet known, Bitonti said. A strike that shuts down a casino is rare in North America, since most gaming resorts have workforces represented by several unions, said Howard Stutz, executive editor of CDC Gaming Reports, a Las Vegas-based casino industry newsletter.
He expects Caesars management in Windsor will be aggressive with promotions and marketing to get business back to normal as quickly as possible. Stutz anticipates the strike will have no lasting impact on attendance or revenues. “People will go back to what they always did,” he said. “People are creatures of habit, so for the most part they will return.”