Security staff won’t be laid off as Caesars shuffles duties

Caesars Windsor is eliminating a security-related job classification at the end of this week that affects 28 part-time casual employees, but there will be no layoffs, their union leader said Wednesday.

The casino has decided it will cut the job classification of “event staff security,” which performed such duties as standing by ticket takers or ushers during special events. “They are eliminating the classification, but nobody is going on layoff,” said Unifor Local 444 president Dave Cassidy.

“If they want to bump into other (casual job) classifications, they can move around and have an opportunity to do that.”

The job was limited in duties, so casino administrators decided to make the change, he said. “They wear a different uniform, stand next to ticket takers and watch for anything, but then call (full security) if there was a problem,” Cassidy said. “(The casino) feels they can do without that level of security.”

A spokeswoman for Caesars Windsor indicated the change was being made in part to ramp up the level of security inside the theatre. “It’s a proactive business decision,” communication manager Jhoan Baluyot said. “This will provide us with enhanced security in the Coliseum. Our (full security) staff is very well trained and we are moving them into the theatre.” She confirmed all of the affected employees will have other job positions made available to them. Cassidy indicated he had spoken with a couple of the employees affected by the change and they did not express resentment.