Pickering and Ajax: Casino workers end three-month strike as new contract ratified

Unifor Local 1090 members at the Pickering and Ajax casinos have ended their strike with the ratification of a collective agreement with Great Canadian Entertainment, the union says. The just over 900 members are set to return to work on Monday, November 9, 2026, after voting 87.4 per cent in favour of the tentative agreement, with an 82 per cent voter turnout.

The four-year collective agreement includes wage increases totalling 14 per cent over the life of the agreement, the union says. All active full-time and part-time employees as of ratification will also receive a lump-sum payment of $300 and $150, respectively.

Improvements were also bargained to compress the vacation grid, as well as additional days off for various leaves and protected shift-changing freedom, the union says. The union negotiated protections to maintain part-time worker benefits, so that time spent on the picket line did not make members ineligible for health, dental and life insurance benefits upon their return to work. The union says there are no concessions.

Members at the two casinos have been on strike since July 31, 2026, after rejecting an offer the union said did not include wage increases to close the pay gap with other Greater Toronto Area casino workers. The union says it continues to push for a contract for security officers at the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, who have been locked out since July 23, 2026.

"Congratulations to the members and the bargaining committee for today's strong vote and for fighting for casino workers," said Unifor National President Lana Payne. "Unifor, and Local 1090, will always push for fairness and respect for casino and hospitality workers," said Unifor Local 1090 President Greg Weaver.