99.5 per cent in favour of job action: BCGEU
Employees at the Hard Rock Casino in Coquitlam, B.C., voted in favour of taking strike action against their employer.
Held between Feb. 1 and Feb. 4, the vote saw Hard Rock staff members — represented by the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU) — 99.5 per cent in favour of taking strike action.
"Hard Rock workers are sending a clear message to their employer: they will not back down until they get the respect, fair wages and working conditions that they deserve," said Stephanie Smith, BCGEU president.
The next step for Hard Rock workers is mediation — as required by the B.C. labour code — but strike preparations are already underway.
BCGEU represents more than 400 employees at Hard Rock working in table games, slot attendants, cashiers, count room, kitchen, security, theatre and guest services.
The workers voted to join the BCGEU in May 2016 and they have been trying to negotiate a first collective agreement with their employer since Jan. 2017.
