The month long strike by 70 Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) gaming workers at Sudbury Downs is hurting local pocketbooks.
City officials have estimated that the municipality's loss in June could be as much as $200,000. However, revenues to the city can vary monthly depending on the season.
The strike is also affecting up to 600 people involved with the local horse racing industry, said Tamara Boisjoli, spouse of racehorse driver and trainer Al Hohner.
She said the amount of prize money in the raceway events has been slashed.
According to John Letherby, spokesperson for OLG, a meeting about the strike is being proposed for Sunday in Barrie.
“We have not been able to get a meeting with the Canadian Auto Workers this week. We have sent a letter to the union for a Sunday afternoon meeting at 2 pm,” said Letherby Friday afternoon.
The workers are represented by the Canadian Auto Workers and are on strike in three locations including Greater Sudbury. The other locations are in a casino in Brantford and at the Woodbine Race Track in Toronto.
“This strike is killing horse racing families. We are losing $200 a day. Revenue from the slots provides 65 per cent of the race purses. With no slots operating due to the strike our income is dropping,” said Boisjoli.
Purses for even the lowest race have dropped from $2,500 to $950, she said.
“When you look at horse owners, trainers and drivers, that is 250 to 300 people all from Chelmsford, Azilda and Hanmer. Add the feed stores, blacksmiths, even the vet and that means the income of 600 people is affected.”
Boisjoli said because horses can cost $300 a month to maintain, some horses may have to be relocated.
“We may be short horses whenever this strike is over,” she said.
At this time, Greater Sudbury Mayor John Rodriguez is not intervening in the strike.
“I have been told the parties are back at the table so I will let things proceed,” said Rodriguez.
Talks between OLG management and the union broke off several weeks ago.
The workers repair OLG slot machines, take tickets in and supply food and beverages, said Letherby, spokesperson for OLG.
The owners of the race track, who receive 10 per cent of Slots revenue, also are affected.
The strike has been underway since June 1 at Sudbury Downs. At issue is a fundamental union concern-job security.
Union officials have said a major push to turn full time employees into part-time workers is a major stumbling block as well as renumeration.
Management has made an offer of a three-year contract with wage increases of two to four per cent.
“We are offering an increase which is line with what other companies in this hospitality industry are paying,” said Letherby.
OLG workers are paid in the neighbourhood of $15 per hour, depending on a number of factors, said Letherby.
Letherby appreciated that the strike is causing concern by the corporation's municipal partners such as the City of Greater Sudbury.
“At this point it is up to the two parties, management and the union to work this out. I know this is creating concern in the three cities, Sudbury, Brantford and Toronto, where OLG operates these facilities,” said Letherby.
