October 23, 2008
OLG Slots - Security Officers - Local 00530 Elections
On October 2nd and 3rd, PSAC 00530 held elections for their shift schedule committee. The results are below.
Full-time: Larry Bussey and Mike Ledat
Part-time: Keith Booth and John Murray
Nominations for PSAC 00530 executive will finish by November 5th, 2008. Vacant positions are listed below:
President
Vice-President
Secretary
Treasurer
The list for interested members, who want to run, is posted on the Bulletin Board. Make sure that each person who is interested (candidate) has a nominator and seconder to be written below the candidate’s name.
As stated in the by-laws, members can run for more than one position, but can only be elected to hold one position.
After that, voting dates will be set for the various positions.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact your PSAC Representative, Jawara Gairey at (416)485-3558 x229 or by e-mail at gaireyj@psac.com.
September 19, 2008
OLG Slots - Security Officers - Local 00530 Meetings
General Membership Meetings
OLG Slots – Security Officers
Local 00530
Agenda:
- Cast your ballot for the Scheduling Committee
- Distribute Local By-Laws
- Discuss Local Elections and distribute nominations forms for Local Executive elections
WHEN:
Thursday, Oct. 2nd and Friday, Oct. 3rd, 2008
1430 hours (1st Meeting – Both Days)
1630 hours (2nd Meeting – Both Days)
1900 hours (2nd Meeting – Both Days)
Where:
Holiday Inn Barrie – Dunlop Room
20 Fairview Drive
Barrie, Ontario
HOST & CHAIR:
Doug Kosakowski, Regional Representative
For additional information -
1-800-354-9086 or 416-485-3558 ext. 222 or kosakod@psac.com
August 27, 2008
OLG Slots-Security Officers Ratification Vote
Sisters and Brothers:
I am pleased to announce that your negotiating team has reached a tentative agreement with OLG Slots.
Three meetings will take place as stated below, and each meeting will be followed by a ratification vote. Members will be voting on whether to accept the tentative agreement that we reached with OLG.
You must attend the meeting in order to vote. I will speak briefly on the agreement and then open the floor for questions. Members will then cast a secret ballot. Ballots will be counted after the third meeting.
If the majority of members who cast a ballot vote yes, then you will have your first collective agreement.
A ratification kit that includes highlights and a complete collective agreement attached will be distributed to you prior to the ratification vote.
Your negotiating team unanimously recommends acceptance of the tentative agreement.
When: Thursday, Sept.11/08
Times: 1430 hrs.(1st meeting), 1630 hrs. (2nd. meeting), 1900 hrs (3rd meeting)
Where: Holiday Inn Barrie, 20 Fairview Drive, Barrie, Ontario
Dunlop meeting room
Members must attend meeting in order to vote.
For additional information, contact host and chair
Doug Kosakowski,your lead negotiator at: 1-800-354-9086 or 416-485-3558 ext. 222 or kosakod@psac.com
July 14, 2008
Negotiations Update
The next round of negotiations have been scheduled for the week of August 18th, 2008.
July 7, 2008
Negotiations Update
Your Union, the Public Service Alliance of Canada requested the assistance of a conciliator for our next round of negotiations with the O.L.G.
Dates were scheduled for July 8, 9 and 10. The O.L.G. is also in negotiations with C.A.W. for three other work sites. The C.A.W. and O.L.G. have resumed talks and are back at the negotiating table.
As a result of this development, the P.S.A.C. has agreed to reschedule our next round of negotiations. The O.L.G. has agreed to reschedule our negotiations as soon as possible.
We will inform you as soon as the next round of negotiations are set to resume.
Thank you for your support
Doug Kosakowski
PSAC Negotiator
June 18, 2008
Casino Workers in Nova Scotia score a victory in forming a Union
SEIU Canada: Security Workers Score a Victory
Judge dismisses Casino Nova Scotia Application
HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwire - June 16, 2008) - The security guards at Casino Nova Scotia who voted in June 2007 to form a union have won their day in court.
Judge John D. Murphy of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia has upheld the Jan. 18, 2008 decision of the Nova Scotia Labour Relations Board, which allows the group of approximately 50 workers to unite through the Service Employees International Union Local 902.
Casino Nova Scotia management had applied to quash and set aside the Labour Board decision back in 2007.
"SEIU Local 902 is proud and excited to officially welcome our security guard brothers and sisters into the union's membership", said SEIU Local 902 President Cynthia Wamback. "Their perseverance in the fight to form a union, is inspiring to our membership throughout Nova Scotia."
The security guards are scheduled to head to bargaining on Jun 23, 2008 and are looking forward to improving their workplace.
The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) is the largest and fastest growing union in North America, with 100,000 workers in Canada and 2 million workers across North America.
June 13, 2008
OLG Security Officers Vote 80% Strike Mandate
A high attendance of the OLG Security Officers turned out for a strike vote on June 12, 2008. Members voted overwhelmingly by a margin of 80% to give their Union a strike mandate.
The Union and the Employer will now meet with the assistance of a conciliator with the view to negotiate a collective agreement.
Once dates are confirmed, we will inform the membership.
Keep checking this website for further information and dates.
Congratulations! |
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Organizing
Nov. 5, 2007
HUMAN RIGHTS SETTLEMENTS REACHED WITH ONTARIO GAMING AND LOTTERY CORPORATION ON DISABILITY POLICY
Toronto - The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has reached settlements in related complaints against the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) and two of its gaming operations.
The complaints were filed by employees who alleged managers at Woodbine Racetrack Slots and Casino Sault Ste. Marie violated Human Rights Code provisions regarding employer duty to accommodate staff experiencing disability. The employees alleged that they were required to return to work before their doctor recommended, return to activities not advised by their doctor, and produce a doctor’s note dated the same date as their absence due to medical disability.
June 20, 2007
Education Announcements
The 2007 PSAC Fall School Registrations for the in-residence Stewards School are due June 25th, 2007. Please see the webpage below for an application. Also, please check this site for the upcoming PSAC Fall Education schedule for your region: http://ontario.psac.com/ontario/education/education.shtml
May 30, 2007
Labour Board Issues Certificate to PSAC
The Ontario Labour Relations Board issued a certificate today to PSAC to represent "all Security Officers of the OLG Slots at Georgian Downs in the Town of Innisfil, Ontario, save and except supervisors, persons above the rank of supervisor, surveillance staff, office and clerical staff and students employed during the school vacation period."
As a result, PSAC is now legally recognized as the bargaining agent for Security Officers at the OLG Slots at Georgian Downs. PSAC shall now issue notice to bargain to commence the negotiations process for a first collective agreement.
Mar. 15, 2007
Security Guards at the Slots at Georgian Downs Join PSAC
Forty (40) security guards employed by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation - Slots at Georgian Downs facility in Barrie, Ontario (OLG) have joined the Public Service Alliance of Canada following a representation vote 24 to 11 in favour of PSAC on September 28, 2006.
The vote became official following the Ontario Labour Relations Board's decision dated March 13, 2007, wherein the Labour Board dismissed the objections raised by the OLG and Georgian Downs Racetrack against PSAC's right to represent security guards at the Slots at Georgian Downs facility.
The Employer had argued that a conflict of interest would arise if PSAC represented the OLG security guards because PSAC also represents Georgian Downs Racetrack employees. The Labour Board, however, found that the extent of any monitoring did not give rise to a conflict of interest within the meaning of the Ontario Labour Relations Act.
Dec. 12, 2006
Organizing Newsletter for Security Guards
PSAC has produced the first organizing update newsletter for security guards employed by the Slots at Georgian Downs. If you did not receive a copy in the mail please contact Christopher Wilson with your mailing address for future updates. Stay informed to stay strong.
Nov. 28, 2006
Hearings Continue in January
The Labour Board has scheduled additional hearing dates for January 17, 2007 and January 18, 2007 to hear the Union's arguments in support of the right of security guards at the Slots at Georgian Downs to join PSAC. The Slots at Georgian Downs and Georgian Downs Racetrack completed their submissions on November 6 and 7, 2006. Now the Union will have an opportunity to defend security guards' right to organize.
Oct. 20, 2006
Rescheduling of Labour Board Hearing
The Labour Board hearing has been rescheduled from October 23 and 24, 2006 to November 6 and 7, 2006 to determine if the security guards at the Slots at Georgian Downs will be represented by PSAC.
Oct. 3, 2006
Security Officers vote to join PSAC
Security officers employed at the Slots at Georgian Downs voted overwhelming by a margin of 24-11 in favour of joining the Public Service Alliance of Canada.
The turnout for the vote was very high with 35 of 40 security officers casting their ballots in the secret ballot vote conducted by the Ontario Labour Relations Board ("OLRB").
The Employer is now arguing that security officers monitor racetrack employees which would give rise to a conflict of interest even though racetrack employees are not employed by the Slots at Georgian Downs.
PSAC is asking the OLRB to reject the Employer's argument and recognize the democratic vote of security officers.
A formal hearing into this issue has been set to commence on October 23rd and 24th, 2006.
If the Employer is successful the vote will be dismissed. If the Union is successful security officers will win the right to commence bargaining for a Union contract with improved job security, union representation, dignity and respect.
Labour Board orders vote for security officers, including dual rate supervisors
The vote will take place as follows:
Date: Thursday, September 28, 2006
Hours:
6:15 A.M. to 7:15 A.M.
12:45 P.M. to 1:45 P.M.
2:15 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.
6:15 P.M. to 7:15 P.M.
Place: The Loft, Track side, 2nd Floor, 7458 Fifth Side Road, Innisfil, Ontario
Voters may cast their secret ballot during any of the time periods listed above. Ballots will be counted following the close of the last poll.
Check notices posted in the workplace for additional details.
PSAC has filed an application for certification of Security Officers at Georgian Downs Slots with the Labour Board
Please read all the important information below. If you have any questions or concerns contact PSAC at 1-800-354-9086.
Georgian Downs Slots Campaign History
In 2004, Georgian Downs Racetrack employees voted to join the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC). Following the successful certification vote conducted by the Labour Relations Board of Canada, employees at the Slots of Georgian Downs turned to PSAC for Union representation to achieve dignity and respect within the workplace. PSAC activists have been talking Union and signing confidential Union cards.
How is campaign going?
PSAC’s organizing committee is taking some major steps towards securing a representation vote and Union representation.
These steps include:
- A campaign website;
- PSAC Activists are actively signing Union cards;
- PSAC has filed Labour Board complaints in response to unfair management labour practices.
Media Campaign
PSAC has created campaign radio advertisements for Georgian Downs Slots’ Employees, which can be heard here:
Radio Ad for Campaign [mp3]
Campaign Updates
*All Updates are in PDF
Why form a Union?
[Organizing Bulletin #1]
Over 5000 Casino, Racetrack and Slots employees have joined unions in order to improve their current working conditions.
[Organizing Bulletin #2]
Collective Bargaining for better working conditions [Benefits of a Collective Agreement]
Slots’ Employees Raise Health & Safety Concerns
[Air Quality Flyer]
The Union Advantage: Improved wages
[Organizing Bulletin # 5]
Georgian Downs Slots’ Employees Complete Workplace Survey
[Survey #1]
Survey Results - Job Security is a Priority!
[Survey Answers]
The Union Advantage : Improved Health Benefits
[Health Benefits Flyer]
Why Join A Union?
[Organizing Bulletin #7]
Events
Union Activists will be rallying to support the right to organize on April 11, 2006 at the slots of Georgian Downs. [Event Notice]
Useful links for Georgian Downs Slots’ Employees
Georgian Downs Racetrack Website