Lake City Casino workers vote against contract settlement

Employer made controversial change in the way gratuities are divided among employees

Vancouver (25 March 2008) - Approximately 500 B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) members employed by Lake City Casinos have rejected by a margin of three to one a tentative contract reached earlier this month with the assistance of a mediator.

"The result sends a pretty strong message that both sides are going to have to improve on the original offer," says BCGEU negotiator Mike Orders. The rejected deal proposed raises of 2.5%, 3% and 2.5% over three years with additional increases for paid training.

The union had endorsed the settlement but Orders said a controversial move by the employer to change how gratuities are divided among the workers had a significant impact on the vote.

"The gratuity change would have resulted in some workers receiving a much smaller share of tips," says Orders. "It's caused much anxiety in the workplace and we saw that reflected in the vote outcome."

The employees work as dealers, slot machine attendants, cashiers, food and beverage servers and security personnel at casinos in Kamloops, Kelowna, Penticton and Vernon. They have been without a contract since September 2007. The union is now consulting with members about the next step to be taken in the dispute. NUPGE