The majority of workers at Sudbury Racetrack Slots have voted to join the Canadian Auto Workers union.
In a vote ballots from 61 of the 80 employees were counted and 37 voted in favour of joining the CAW, while 26 opposed the certification vote.
Employees at Sudbury Racetrack Slots are employed by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission (OLGC)
John Aman, national representative for the CAW, said it was a long and difficult struggle for the workers determined to join a union, but he?s talked to several of them and they?re very pleased with the results.
?We were successful, despite a lot of problems staff were forced to endure from management about joining our union,? he said. ?At the end of the day, the majority of members wouldn?t bite at some of the things management was telling them and have decided to join our union and we?re very happy to have them on board.?
Don Pister, manager of public relations for the OLGC?s Northern Ontario headquarters in Sault Ste. Marie, said the OLGC will respect the fact the majority of workers voted to join the CAW.
?We respect the rights of the workers and their decision to join this union,? said Pister. ?While we would have preferred to have continued working directly with our employees, we will honour their decision and will now concentrate on working with the members to try and reach an agreement on a first contract.?
The CAW was so frustrated with OLGC management?s efforts to interfere with the process in trying to unionize, it has filed a complaint with the Ontario Labour Relations Board, said Aman.
?They have held captive audience meetings with workers and basically told them there?s nothing at all to be gained by joining a union,? said Anan.