The Ajax Pickering casino strike has placed nearly 900 gaming and hospitality employees on picket lines after negotiations between Unifor Local 1090 and Great Canadian Entertainment failed to produce a new collective agreement.
Workers at Casino Ajax and Pickering Casino Resort began strike action at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 31. The union said members are seeking improvements to wages, job security and working conditions after negotiations reached an impasse.
Unifor Local 1090 represents a wall-to-wall bargaining unit at both Durham Region properties. The affected employees include gaming-floor workers, cash-cage staff, food and beverage employees, housekeepers, bus drivers, and workers in shipping and receiving.
Ajax Pickering Casino Strike Continues
The union described the labour action as involving nearly 900 employees. This is the preferred figure for publication because it comes from Unifor’s official announcement issued after the strike began.
Unifor said the employees kept the casinos operating through difficult years and are now seeking a contract that provides fair compensation and stronger employment security. The union has not publicly released a complete list of its bargaining proposals or detailed the most recent offer from the employer.
Great Canadian Entertainment said it had negotiated with the union for several months but was unable to reach an agreement before the strike deadline. The company has said it remains committed to constructive discussions aimed at returning employees to work.
As of publication, no official announcement confirming a settlement or the end of the strike had been issued. Great Canadian’s public operations page continued to describe the situation as a current labour disruption.
Casino Ajax and Pickering Resort Remain Open
Both Casino Ajax and Pickering Casino Resort remain open during the strike, although guests may encounter reduced services, modified operating hours and temporary access changes.
Great Canadian says Casino Ajax remains open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Getaway Restaurant is temporarily operating from noon until 8 p.m. with a reduced menu, and access to certain property entrances may be affected.
Pickering Casino Resort also remains open around the clock, but some amenities are operating under modified schedules or are temporarily unavailable. The company advises visitors to review its latest property-access and operations information before travelling.
The Pickering Casino Resort shuttle has been temporarily suspended because of the labour disruption. Guests who normally use the shuttle will need to arrange another form of transportation while that service is unavailable.
Operating conditions can change during a strike. Visitors should confirm restaurant hours, gaming-floor services, entertainment schedules, parking access and available entrances directly with the casino before arriving.
Workers Across Both Properties Affected
The labour dispute affects a broad range of roles rather than only casino dealers or gaming-floor employees. Unifor’s bargaining unit includes staff responsible for customer service, food preparation, cleaning, transportation, financial transactions and property operations.
Picket lines were established at both Durham Region casinos after the contract deadline passed without a new deal. Casino Ajax is located at 50 Alexander’s Crossing in Ajax, while Pickering Casino Resort is at 888 Durham Live Avenue in Pickering.
The strike may continue until the union and employer reach a tentative agreement that can be presented to members. Any proposed settlement would normally require a ratification vote before becoming a new collective agreement.
The Ajax Pickering casino strike remains an important labour and business development for Durham Region. Both properties are operating, but customers should expect the possibility of service changes while negotiations continue.