The local branch of the Ontario Public Services Employees Union is scheduled to restart negotiations with the employer, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp., on Feb. 6. The 38 security staff have given the union a mandate to go on strike one day later.
The main issue is how parking will be handled should the OLG decide to move the slots away from the raceway, according to a union news release. Union members don’t have to pay for parking at the facility’s current location.
However, the OLG is currently accepting bids from private companies to build a new casino somewhere in Ottawa. The union is worried that they will have to pay for their own parking if the slots are moved downtown.
Tony Bitonti, a spokesman for the OLG, declined to comment on the specifics of the negotiations. He stressed that any decision about the future of the slots at Rideau-Carleton won’t happen until later on this year.
“We’re still a long way away from that facility moving anywhere yet,” said Mr. Bitonti.
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