Laid off workers struggling to get byĪs the pandemic drags on, casino workers like Sarah Kristensen are entering their fifth month of unemployment. It's outrageous,' Dias said.Ĭasino workers represented by Unifor are not directly employed by OLG - the corporation outsources day-to-day operations to private companies. 'You'd think any discussion about their bonuses should be pushed off to the future but this is about greed. Jerry Dias, president of Unifor, said bonuses for OLG exeuctives should be put on hold until the sector stabilizes. OLG did not provide specific dollar figures around the bonuses, saying only that they are currently under review. The province also announced in May a $500 million loan to OLG to temporarily support the corporation - but that doesn't mean bonuses are off the table. The financial report says the updated figures reflect 'revised expectations for reopening of casinos and recent trends in lottery sales.'

'It sends a horrible message, frankly, it's completely irresponsible,' Jerry Dias, president of Unifor, said of the bonuses. But while some facilities have started a limited reopening as part of Stage 3 of the provincial plan, a union representing casino workers estimates that about 15,000 people are still out of work. 'You gotta' think these things out guys,' he said, addressing OLG's leadership, during a news conference.įord then went further, saying of OLG's heads: 'They aren't too friggin' smart.'Ĭasinos across the province were shut down on March 17 as part of efforts to contain the novel coronavirus. Duration 2:49 The premier ripped the organization's plan to hand out millions in bonuses amid the COVID-19 that has forced many frontline workers in the gambling sector to be laid off.įord said because the organization is arms-length from the government, he can't block the payments, and that its management warned him not paying the bonuses would likely trigger a wave of lawsuits.ĭespite that, Ford urged OLG to put the payments on hold and said his finance minister will be looking into the organization.

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