TORONTO - A tentative agreement has been reached to end a strike by more than 800 workers at Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. casinos in Toronto, Brantford and Sudbury.
OLG and the Canadian Auto Workers said Wednesday morning that the union members, who walked out June 1, would vote during the day. If they ratify the contract, the provincial gambling operator "is hopeful the facilities at Brantford and Sudbury will reopen this weekend."
It did not say when operations would return to normal at Woodbine Racetrack.
Details of the tentative deal were not released. Wages, split shifts and the use of part-timers were key issues in the dispute.
"This agreement is both fair to our valued employees in Brantford, Sudbury and at Woodbine, and it provides OLG with the flexibility to operate our facilities and serve our customers," stated Kelly McDougald, chief executive of the lottery corporation.
Hemi Mitic, assistant to CAW national president Buzz Hargrove, said in a joint Staten that the settlement "will give us the opportunity to turn the page and build on our relationship."
Talks had resumed last week after breaking off July 18.
About 700 employees at the Brantford casino, along with 100 security guards at Woodbine and 80 gaming floor employees at Sudbury Downs, joined the CAW last year when they signed a 14-month contract.
