Agreement reached for BCGEU workers at Lake City Casinos

Three-year deal goes to ratification vote on March 19

Vancouver (6 March 2008) - A tentative collective agreement covering 500 B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) members employed by Lake City Casinos has been reached with the assistance of a mediator.

Workers at casinos in Kamloops, Kelowna, Penticton and Vernon will vote by March 19 on whether to accept the new agreement.

"We are pleased to have achieved competitive wage increases for our members," says BCGEU President George Heyman. "It is also significant that we have gained paid training for our members including dealers, and security guards. Previously, for example, a dealer would do two weeks of unpaid training in roulette or poker courses, on their own time. Now this training will be employer-paid on employer time."

Heyman says the agreement also ensures more job security for members during expansion at all four locations.

"This tentative agreement has been reached after four months of intense bargaining," Heyman adds. "We appreciate the efforts of Labour Relations Board mediator Mark Brown in these final negotiations."

The union is unanimously recommending acceptance of this three-year agreement. If approved, workers will see annual wage increases of 2.5% in the first year, 3% in the second year, and 2.5% in the third year. For the first time, both roulette and poker dealers will also be eligible for expanded wage premiums. Some benefit improvements will also be seen. NUPGE