- Caesars Windsor is one of the driving forces for tourism in Windsor, and this shut down made many in the community concerned about the possible blow to tourism. 2.3 million people visit the casino each year, and in turn generate business for many other attractions in the Windsor area.
- — Caesars Windsor says the casino resort will reopen on Thursday now that striking workers have agreed to a new contract. Spokeswoman Susanne Tomkins says workers approved a new.
- The vote by Caesars Windsor workers to reject the sellout deal and continue their strike takes place as 50,000 food service and hospitality workers at 34 casino-resorts in Las Vegas voted by 99.
Casino Windsor Strike 2021 Calendar
Nicholas Mercer
Choctaw Casino & Resort is expected to debut more than 1,000 new rooms and additional amenities in the spring of 2021. The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma broke ground on Thursday on a previously announced $500 million plan for the expansion of the Choctaw Casino & Resort in Durant, Oklahoma.
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
nicholas.mercer@thecentralvoice.ca
The new year will be much like the past year in Grand Falls-Windsor, at least when it comes to the town’s 2021 municipal operation budget and its corresponding tax structure.
Just as it did in 2019, Grand Falls-Windsor chose not to increase its residential and commercial taxes heading into next year.
At its Dec. 15 council meeting, the town adopted a budget that maintained a residential mill rate at 8.5 mills, while also keeping its commercial rate at 10.75 mills.
“Our residents and businesses will continue to pay less average tax among comparable communities, while also receiving an exceptional level of service,“ said Coun. Rod Bennett, chair of the town’s corporate services committee.
The budget is only slightly lower than the 2020 number. In 2021, Grand Falls-Windsor will operate with a budget of $20,046,361.
It is just $7,791 lower than the previous year.
Leading into the adoption of the budget, plenty of time was spent crunching numbers and making sure the town could keep its current tax structure while not sacrificing the level of service to residents.
“We worked our budget quite a bit,” said Bennett.
The adoption of the 2021 commercial tax structure was welcome news for the Exploits Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The chamber was also encouraged by the town’s commitment to expanding economic opportunities in the health-care, mining, aquaculture and tourism sectors in 2021.
Chamber president Kris Spurrell also expressed encouragement over the town’s push to make changes in the KPMG Consulting operational review report adopted by Grand Falls-Windsor late last year.
That report had the town streamlining its operations through several recommendations, including consolidating four departments into three.
“It was a slow and steady budget,” said Spurrell.
Heading into 2021, Grand Falls-Windsor expects to spend $12.8 million, with $7.3 million of that coming from the federal and provincial governments, with eyes on finishing work on its wastewater treatment facility expansion.
The town also look to complete the upgrade work to the Goodyear Avenue parking lot, playground and ball field, along with street upgrades and design work on the second phase of the Gorge Park development, among other upgrades.
Funding was also secured for a new pumper truck for the Grand Falls-Windsor Fire Department.
On top of spending, the development plan would see a snowmobile and all-terrain vehicle trail established in the town, and council will continue to help the Grand Falls House Foundation acquire the Grand Falls House property.
“Our resiliency as individuals, as a municipality and as a province will be tested in the coming months as we make plans to recover from the events of 2020,” said Bennett. “This budget focuses not only on today, but on the future of Grand Falls-Windsor with investments in infrastructure and the local economy.”
Nicholas Mercer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Central Voice
Unifor Local 444 members working at Caesars Windsor have voted down a tentative deal and began a strike at midnight.
'As of now, our members have voted to go on strike. Forty-one per cent in favour of the tentative agreement so that is a strike position,' said union president James Stewart
Minutes after the vote, crowds of casino customers were herded out the doors to waiting taxis.
2,300 employees on strike at 12:01 after a tentative deal was voted against by 59% of the members who voted today. <br><br>Horns are honking, taxis picking people up and guests leaving the casino. <a href='https://t.co/bAxHHl9y2t'>https://t.co/bAxHHl9y2t</a>… <a href='https://t.co/FMCoKMtFu5'>pic.twitter.com/FMCoKMtFu5</a>
—@ChrisEnsingCBCWayne and Mary Charlton have been coming to Caesars Windsor twice a month for the past decade.
'They shut her down and out the door we went,' said Wayne, who added the couple was headed back to their home in St. Thomas.
He said it was 'peace and quiet' inside the casino when the announcement telling guests to leave came over the loudspeaker.
'I went up to my room, got my bag and I'm on my way.'
This couple visits Caesars Windsor twice a month, have been coming last 10 years. <br><br>Arrived today from St. Thomas for two nights. <br><br>Now the Charlton's are headed home because of the strike. <br><br>Worst part? Same thing happened LAST contract negotiations. <a href='https://t.co/DV5gCvVT0I'>pic.twitter.com/DV5gCvVT0I</a>
—@ChrisEnsingCBCCasino Windsor Strike 2021 Schedule
Stewart said he believes the failure to ratify is based on frustration from employees who have accepted less and less over the past four of five agreements with Caesars.
'A lot of what we heard was respect issues. But on top of that there was a real sense that they wanted more in terms of the financial gains. Wages were important,' he explained. 'They were very clear that they want some of that back in this agreement.'
I personally want to apologize for any inconvenience this causes our customers.- Kevin Laforet, Caesars Entertainment
Kevin Laforet, regional president for Caesars Entertainment, said he was disappointed by the outcome of the vote.
'We felt the agreement was fair and sustainable,' he said. 'We will be meeting with Unifor to discuss next steps. I personally want to apologize for any inconvenience this causes our customers.'
What this means for the casino
Unifor members are walking off the job at 12:01 a.m.
After midnight, Stewart said they will 'secure their assets' so they can leave without losing their license with the AGCO.
'When that's done they will exit the building,' he said.
What this means for hotel guests
Stewart said the workers' fight is with their employer, not customers.
'The problem in it all is we do have hotel customers staying in the hotel. We're not going to hinder that process and we're going to allow our members tied to that up until 6 a.m,' he explained. 'The hotel guests will continue unhindered to exit the building up until their regular checkout time of 11 a.m.'
When will bargaining resume?
Casino Windsor Strike 2021 Date
Stewart said Caesars did not 'immediately say there was any interest in getting back to the table.'
Casino Windsor Strike 2021 Dates
He added his focus is on helping members set up picket lines.