AB - Deck stacked against casino workers - union
The Edmonton Journal, Friday, December 08, 2006
EDMONTON - The union representing striking workers at the Palace Casino wants the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission to take action in a dispute that is now three months old.
At a press conference Thursday called by the provincial New Democrats, United Food and Commercial Workers’ Local 401 representatives and party labour critic Ray Martin said the commission is helping the casino avoid negotiating a first contract by failing to crack down on alleged violations of the casino’s operating guidelines.
“By their lack of action, they’re actually prolonging the dispute,” Martin said. “There should not be that perception that a government agency is on one side or the other. But clearly, we believe that it is.”
AGLC spokeswoman Stephanie Francis said the commission has not received any complaints about the casino from the general public. But the union has complained and those complaints are being investigated.
“Certainly anything the union has seen, that would come to us and we would followup and investigate if necessary, as we would any complaint by anyone,” Francis said.
However, the commission has from the beginning stated its intention to remain neutral in the strike, she said.
“The best solution are the ones that the parties arrive at themselves,” Francis said. “That said, the integrity of gaming is our first priority and what the Alberta Liquor and Gaming Commission is doing is continue to monitor the gaming activities in the casino.”
The casino’s owners issued a news release in response to the press conference.
“The allegation that minors are allowed into the Palace Casino are patently false,” Gateway Casinos vice-president Howard Worrell said. “In line with AGLC policy, we check identities of all people who appear to be younger than 25.”
Referring to a second allegation from the union, Worrell said no one is allowed to take drinks outside the casino.
Union and company officials met last week to negotiate, but the two sides remain split on issues such as wages and sick days.
© The Edmonton Journal 2006
© 2006 CanWest Interactive, a division of CanWest MediaWorks Publications Inc.
