Casino officials optimistic for July opening
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With Ontario having met the metrics for entering Stage 3 of its COVID-19 reopening strategy weeks earlier than planned, Unifor and Caesars Windsor officials are lobbying the province to move up the casino’s possible reopening date.
Under the provincial plan, casinos can reopen in Stage 3 with the earliest current date for that being July 23.
“I’ve been lobbying and the operators are doing the same,” said Unifor Local 444 president Dave Cassidy, whose local represents about 2,200 of the more than 3,000 workers employed at Caesar’s Windsor.
“We’ve spoken to the premier, minister of labour and minister of finance, so there’s been lot’s of discussions going on.
“I’m hoping to see the province loosen the restrictions earlier because of the vaccination rate and meeting all the provincial metrics.
“We’re also lobbying to let us open at 50 per cent of capacity (5,000 people).”
Two of the key metrics for Stage 3 already achieved are the vaccination of 70-80 per cent of the adult population with one dose and 20 per cent with two doses.
Cassidy confirmed he was meeting via Zoom with Caesars Windsor representatives Wednesday to begin discussing the plans for recalling workers.
“We’re still trying to figure out how many will be needed to run the facility,” Cassidy said.
“When we reopen not everyone will be recalled at once. I’m sure some have moved on, but we won’t know that until we get into the crux of things.”
However, Cassidy is excited that once the casino is open, more workers will be required after the legalization of single-game sports betting.
He estimates that will result in 100 to 150 additional positions.
“Single-event sports betting is a competitive requirement to keep us on a level playing field with our competition,” said Caesars Windsor’s director of advertising and public relations Scott Jenkins.
“We are hopeful once the bill has received royal assent and the province has set forth their guidelines for sports betting, that we will be able to get up and going fairly quickly.”
Jenkins added Caesar’s Windsor is confident the casino will re-open shortly. The exact date is still unknown.
“We are optimistic with the way the vaccination rates are continuing to increase and case counts continue to decline sharply, that we will be able to reopen based on the proposed timeline from the province,” Jenkins said. “As we have throughout the pandemic, we will continue to work with all stakeholders to have our voices heard on reopening timing and the relevant metrics under Step 3.”
When patrons do return to the casino they’ll see and experience several changes and new safety protocols.
Cassidy said many of the ideas that have been employed to protect Local 444 workers at Stellantis’s Windsor Assembly Plant and in casinos in Las Vegas will be used.
“I have no fear for the safety of returning workers and customers to the casino,” Cassidy said.
Among those safety protocols will be the use of Plexiglas to separate tables and machines. Every other slot machine will be off line to ensure social distancing, sanitizers will be available and patrons will sign in upon entering.
“Caesars has put together a back-to-work plan that’s been presented to the province’s science table that they called second to none,” Cassidy said.
Jenkins said it’s still unclear at what capacity the province will allow when the casino reopens.
However, he expects those numbers to grow relatively quickly.
“We are hoping that once we do get to reopen and demonstrate how our stringent health and safety protocols provide a safe and comfortable environment for both our staff and guests, that we will be allowed to continue to expand our capacity and offer more amenities to our guests,” Jenkins said.
“At least initially, we would anticipate a gradual ramp up of offerings and amenities given the uncertainty around business levels and border restrictions.”
Jenkins added Caesars Windsor is expecting a robust response to its reopening, particularly if the border restrictions are loosened further, as expected, next month.
“We are anticipating a very positive response from the public and our valued guests,” Jenkins said.
“We have heard from several of our valued guests/community stakeholders over the past year and they are all anxious for us to reopen.”
