But the impact of the shutdown is spreading well beyond Ontario's gambling industry, and a serious blow to local tourism is expected if casino resorts do not resume operations as soon as possible.
In March, Caesars Windsor won three awards at the annual Best of Windsor Essex organized by Tourism Windsor Essex Pelley Island (TWEPI). It was recognized in the Best Local Attractions – Game category and won two major awards: Best Entertainment Place and Best Hotel. Although the casino attracts thousands of gamblers every month from the state and several states in the United States, the resort is clearly more than a gambling destination. Indeed, it is one of Canada's largest and most popular casino and hotel complexes, and is also one of the main drivers of the tourism sector in Windsor City and Ontario.
However, the resort has been closed since April 6. Reservations for hotels reserved for the month of May were canceled, both the Colosseum show and concerts were postponed until May 18, and casinos were of course not in operation. The closure was the result of a strike announced by casino and hotel workers on April 6 after they rejected a proposal for a collective agreement with their employer, Caesars Windsor. These workers, represented by trade union Unipo Local 444, were hit by picket lines due to unsatisfactory new contract conditions, mainly low wages and pensions.
Meanwhile, James Stewart, the union's regional manager, left the fight between Caesars Windsor and the workers. On May 1, he announced that he would step down as regional 444 chairman as of June 1. Stewart became interim chairman in August 2017 and now he will run for the position of finance minister and David Cashdy will probably be elected to the top job. Stewart confirmed to reporters that the change would not affect talks with Caesars Windsor because the negotiating team would remain in place.
Caesars Windsor Strike Could Have Long-Term Impact
According to the union, casino management was willing to sit at the negotiating table and did not respect workers' reasonable needs. On the official website, the casino did not respond, just informed guests of the ongoing strike and resort closures. So far, there has been no indication that the two sides could reach an agreement in the coming days or weeks. As a result, analysts expect the shutdown to impact Caesars' earnings in Q2 and boost transportation for key competitors. Gateway Casino and entertainment venues in point Edward and Dresden, as well as three casinos on the American side of the Detroit River, MGM Grand Detroit, Motor City Casino, and Greaktown Casino. 파워볼사이트
Tourism officials have also raised concerns that the closure of casinos will have a greater impact. Lynnett Bain, vice president of tourism program development at TWEPI, said Caesars Windsor is a major attraction in the region and tourism will now be affected by the nearly month-long lockdown. According to her, casinos attract about 2.3 million visitors each year and many of them vacation outside the resort's site on various tours such as wine tours, events, and museums. Indeed, the long-term effects of the casino strike will emerge in various sectors of Windsor, including tourism, especially if workers and casino officials cannot reach a deal soon.