Windsor

Mediator to speak with Caesars Windsor management and union Wednesday

Caesars Windsor and Unifor will talk Wednesday, but both sides are not officially back to the table.

Unifor Local 444 president Dave Cassidy said the two sides are not officially back to the table

Talks will resume between Caesars management and union leaders on Wednesday, but these are not official bargaining discussions. (Chris Ensing/CBC)

Caesars Windsor and Unifor will talk tomorrow, but they're still not ready to get into detailed negotiations on a collective agreement.

As the city's casino strike enters its 54th day, a mediator is coming in to speak to both Caesars management and the union representing 2,300 workers.

President of Unifor Local 444 Dave Cassidy, said the meeting is not "official bargaining" but an "exploratory" discussion.

"We're going to discuss what we feel the hang up is, and they're going to discuss with him what they feel the hangup is," said Cassidy. "We're going to see if we can come to some common ground and see if we can get back to the table and sort out an economic package to get everybody back to work."

Cassidy said if it goes well and looks like both sides are ready to negotiate, he will call the union's bargaining committee immediately.

In the meantime, members are having internal round-table discussions, said Cassidy. 

About 53 per cent of union members voted "no" to the second tentative agreement laid out for them on May 18. 

The casino and hotel announced there would be more cancellations due to the strike and some couples are scrambling for a solution or back-up plan for their wedding bookings