Staffing levels, media coverage cited for protest cancellation

FRASERVILLE – More than 30 unionized workers at Shorelines Slots at Kawartha Downs who have not been offered jobs at the new city casino cancelled a protest they had planned for Saturday’s horse racing season opener.

The food and beverage and security departments were short-staffed for the busy event, so they decided to cancel the information picket Saturday morning, Service Employees International Union Local 2 business agent Ted Mansell said.

“It’s all hands on deck … it’s more important that they be there and take good care of the race track and slots operations,” he said.

The union announced Thursday it was planning the picket to ask people to boycott Shorelines Casino Peterborough unless owner Great Canadian Gaming agrees to hire them when the nearly built facility opens later this summer or this fall.

Staff employed by Kawartha Downs whose jobs will disappear when the slots move into the city have been forced to look for work elsewhere, so the number of existing staff continues to decline, he said.

“It’s almost impossible for the employer to hire anybody because they know it’s a very temporary gig and there is no promise from Shorelines that they will be able to transfer over to the new casino when the slots close this fall,” he said.

In a written statement, company general manager Bryan Buchanan pointed out that four candidates have been hired from Kawartha Downs so far.

“In addition, it would be presumptuous for us to assume that we would simply transfer over positions that are not currently within our control or part of our employment,” he wrote.

Another factor in decision to cancel the protest was the “very robust” media coverage the planned picket got, Mansell said.