Unifor 444 working on new 'bargaining demand package' after Caesars cancels hotel bookings, postpones concerts
Management said they're open to returning to the bargaining table
Unifor 444 is putting together the final pieces of new "bargaining demand package" to present to Caesars Windsor management after the casino announced it was open to returning to the bargaining table on Monday.
"In light of the recent and new announcement that Caesars Casino has cancelled all bookings for April but are willing to return to the bargaining table, your bargaining committee will be meeting Tuesday morning to put the final pieces on a new bargaining demand package to present to the company," reads a statement attributed to union leader James Stewart posted to the Unifor 444 social media account.
Caesars Windsor is postponing all April events and cancelling hotel bookings until April 30th as 2,300 employees continue to strike.
Management are also reaching out to event planners who have bookings at Caesars Windsor this month.
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NFL players, Johnny Reid superfan among Caesars guests feeling burned by strike
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Caesars Windsor workers are on strike — here's what you need to know
Members of Unifor Local 444 rejected a tentative deal that the bargaining committee recommended last Thursday and went on strike at midnight.
The strike forced people off the casino floor late Thursday night and out of the hotel on Friday morning.
People on the picket line said they wanted a deal with higher wages and better language regarding job security.
Postponed Shows
Caesars Windsor postponed the Johnny Reid show scheduled for Friday, April 6 and cancelled all hotel bookings made until Thursday, April 12.
Now, the casino is postponing all Colosseum shows in April, including Friday's Buddy Guy concert as well as the David Foster and Terry Fator shows scheduled for the weekend.
The Brian Wilson concert on May 4th appears to be going ahead as scheduled — for now.
They've also cancelled all hotel bookings made until April 30th.
"It was a very difficult decision to postpone the remainder of April concerts and events and cancel hotel reservations," said Kevin Laforet, Regional President of Caesars Entertainment, in a statement sent to media Monday afternoon.
"Ultimately our commitment to customer service means being proactive and giving our patrons and clients advance notice in the event they need to make alternative plans."
'Bummed' about postponed shows
Todd Wilder bought tickets months ago for a bucket-list concert with Blues legend Buddy Guy, who was set to take the stage on Friday night for a concert at the Colosseum.
"It was a big deal," said Wilder, who predicts he would have spent about $900 on the weekend to catch the show and stay at the hotel with his girlfriend.
Looks like my bucket list <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRea1BuddyGuy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheRea1BuddyGuy</a> show is going to be cancelled <a href="https://twitter.com/CaesarsWindsor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CaesarsWindsor</a> next week.. "buying tickets to bucket list show few months in advance... booking room at the venue.. booking vacation day at work ".. not priceless ..<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Caesars?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Caesars</a>
—@dirtfan44"We were both bummed."
But Wilder has no blame to pass on to the workers.
"I saw in the media the contract offer and I didn't blame the employees one bit," said Wilder. "I probably would have turned that down too if I was a union member there."
"We were looking so forward to a night out, just with sisters," said Heather Amlin, who had purchased tickets to the Sunday's David Foster show months back.
"Like, I said 'Oh crap' that's exactly what I thought. I was very disappointed."
But like Wilder she has no troubles with union members fighting for higher wages.
"When I look at the amount of money that place makes and they offer their staff $1.75 over the next three years? Give me a break, are you kidding? That to me was a slap in the face," said Amlin, who doesn't expect Caesars Windsor to let the strike continue too long.
Talks continue
On Friday Unifor Local 444 posted on social media that they had reached out to management in an effort to return to the bargaining table but said management had "no intent from Caesars to return to the bargaining table."
Laforet said in his statement on Monday that they are in regular contact with union leadership and "are open to returning to the bargaining table."
The last time casino workers went on strike was in 2004 when members walked the picket lines for more than 40 days.