Unifor Members at Two Great Canadian Casinos Set Strike Deadline for July 31
2026-07-30
Source: Global Gaming Insider
Unifor Local 1090 members at Casino Ajax and Pickering Casino Resort plan to strike on July 31 if no deal is reached, affecting over 900 workers. The operator also faces $290,000 in AGCO penalties for money-laundering compliance failures and unauthorized software use.
Workers represented by Unifor Local 1090 at Casino Ajax and Pickering Casino Resort have announced their intention to walk off the job on 31 July if a new collective agreement is not reached with Great Canadian Gaming Corporation. The union's bargaining committee continues negotiations this week, but the potential strike would involve not only coin workers, cashiers and dealers but also hospitality and food service staff, gaming hosts and player service representatives.
The dispute covers more than 900 gaming employees who are seeking improvements to wages and working conditions under the next contract. This action follows a lockout of Unifor Local 1090 members at Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto that began on 23 July, adding to the labour unrest at the operator's Ontario properties.
Separately, Great Canadian Entertainment has faced regulatory scrutiny from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). On 7 July, the AGCO imposed $170,000 in monetary penalties against the company for failing to identify suspicious activity, including potential money laundering indicators at Pickering Casino Resort. An audit found that the operator did not adequately assess or monitor high-risk patrons, nor file Suspicious Transaction Reports when warning signs emerged, and lacked proper risk-based procedures to prevent unlawful activities.
In addition, the AGCO fined Great Canadian $120,000 for using unauthorised gaming system software across four Ontario casino properties between 20 February and 15 March 2025.