Casino workers hold rally after Caesars announces show cancellations through May

The union representing striking casino workers held a rallyTuesday just one day after Caesars Windsor announced itwould postpone shows and cancel hotel bookingsfor the month of May.

"Today is a message of disappointment," said James Stewart, president of Unifor Local 444. "We want to be back at the bargaining table."

Staffing level andjobsecurity remain at the forefront of bargaining between casino staff and management. Workers walked off the jobon April 6 after 59 per cent voted to rejecta tentative deal.

"There was 5,000 members here at one time when you're talking about the history of the casino," said Stewart. "We're down to 2,300 and it's not all based on competition, it's based on greed."

It's not clear when the union and casino management will resume talks, which last broke off about three weeks ago.

"The facts are, we reached out to the company as late as last week asking them to get to the table," said Stewart.

"The response from the company is a post to their website saying they've cancelled and postponed all the shows now to the end of May."

Mayor Drew Dilkens spoke with CBC News, responding to UNIFOR'srequest to be"more visible" during the strike:

Mayor Drew Dilkens on Caesars Windsor strike

6 years ago

Duration 0:42

Mayor Drew Dilkens said there is a lack of communication between the mayor's office and Unifor Local 444.

Shows andhotel bookings at CaesarsWindsor will be cancelled through the month of May, includingPitbull (May 25), Lee Brice (May 26) and Daniel O'Donnell (May 27).

"This is a difficult message to release again," said CaesarsEntertainment regional president KevinLaforet in a statement. "As with earlier decisions to postpone upcoming concerts and cancel hotel reservations, it is necessary in order to give our customers advance notice to make alternate plans."