Toronto – Over 400 workers represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), and employed at the Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) corporation have been locked-out as of July 14, 2017. Picket lines have been set up at the site, with workers standing strong in the face of this multi-billion-dollar crown corporation.
PSAC sent the Premier a letter on June 28, 2017, advising of the potential labour dispute, as well as the Minister of Finance and Minister of Labour. A response was never received.
“It’s hypocritical of the government to be discussing Bill 148 and their concerns over precarious work, and yet their crown corporation, the OLG, has locked out 400 of its workers who face these struggles,” states Sharon DeSousa, PSAC Ontario Regional Executive Vice-President. “Why has the Ontario Liberal government been silent on this lockout? Ultimately they are responsible for what the OLG does.”
The OLG has stated that their last offer voted down by the workers on July 8-9, 2017, would be their last offer, despite PSAC sending a revised proposal on July 12, 2017 to continue negotiations and resolve the situation.
“The OLG would rather lock these workers out, who have been loyal to this company for years, instead of continuing negotiations past the July 14th deadline,” says Ms. DeSousa. “We are willing to go back to the table and work on a fair agreement, but it appears the OLG is not interested in making the lives of their workers better.”
The OLG is currently looking for a private operator to lease the Woodbine site for 20 years, in the continued privatization process that has seen 5 lockouts by the OLG in the last few years.
For more information or to book interviews, please contact:
Lino Vieira, Political Communications Officer, vieiral@psac-afpc.com or 416-577-0238