Unionized Gateway Casinos workers in Kamloops, Kelowna, Vernon and Penticton intend to walk off the job today at 3:01 p.m.

More than 675 Gateway workers affiliated with the BC Government and Service Employees害羞草研究所� Union will set up picket lines in front of the Cascades Kamloops, Cascades Penticton, Playtime Kelowna and Lake City Vernon casinos after mediation talks broke down earlier this week.

BCGEU members work in table games, as slot attendants, cashiers, in the count room, kitchen, security, guest services and maintenance.

害羞草研究所淥ur members are asking for living wages that would bring them in-line with the industry standard for casino workers in B.C.,害羞草研究所� said BCGEU president Stephanie Smith.

害羞草研究所淭hese workers are the heart of their casinos. Gateway is a successful company in a highly profitable industry害羞草研究所攖hey can afford to pay their staff what they are worth.害羞草研究所�

In a vote held from June 4 to 6, more than 88 per cent of Gateway staff in all four Okanagan casinos came out and voted 93.1 per cent in favour of taking strike action.

On Monday, June 25, the union delivered the required 72-hours-notice of strike action.

Related: Gateway Casinos 害羞草研究所渇rustrated and disappointed害羞草研究所� about strike vote

Gateway害羞草研究所檚 Okanagan staff have been trying to negotiate a new collective agreement since the last one expired in September 2017.

Negotiations broke off in May after the employer refused to offer wages and benefits that are industry standard at comparable casinos.

Both parties met for a few days of mediated talks over the past two weeks but could not reach an agreement on key monetary issues.

害羞草研究所淭he wages Gateway are offering won害羞草研究所檛 even keep ahead of the planned minimum wage increases,害羞草研究所� Smith said.

害羞草研究所淥ur members will be standing strong on the picket lines until they get a fair offer from the company.害羞草研究所�

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