Toronto – Over 400 workers represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), and employed by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) corporation have been locked-out as of July 14, 2017.
“Where is the Liberal Government? Do we need to call this lockout a fundraiser before a Liberal shows up,” states Sharon DeSousa, PSAC Ontario Regional Executive Vice-President. “These 400 workers and their families deserve more from their government, a government that has claimed it wants to deal with precarious work.”
On Monday, July 24, 2017, the Globe and Mail published an article by Justin Giovannetti, “Ontario to select new private operator for GTA gambling sites” (link below), on the current privatization process of the OLG Slots at Woodbine.
Liberal MPP for the area Shafiq Qaadri (Etobicoke North), has been completely silent on this lockout, yet had time to provide an interview for this article, in which he states: "I'm looking forward to the long-awaited day when we can inaugurate a 'Vegas North' right here in the riding, bringing tourism, concerts, conferences, activity and buzz," said Liberal MPP Shafiq Qaadri.
Mr. Shafiq does not seem concerned as to the struggle workers in his riding are facing. With two weeks of picketing, 7 days a week, workers are wondering where their political representatives are.
Woodbine workers will pay Mr. Shafiq’s office a visit on July 27, 2017, at 11:30 a.m. in the hopes that their Member of Provincial Parliament will finally pay attention to them.
For more information or to book interviews, please contact:
Lino Vieira, Political Communications Officer, vieiral@psac-afpc.com or 416-577-0238