Canada: Montreal Casino croupiers walk off the job to protest negotiations deadlock

Croupiers at the Montreal Casino in Canada went on a surprise four-hour strike on Saturday, expressing their solidarity amid a negotiations deadlock. The property’s dealers laid their cards on the table at 4 PM and walked out to demonstrate in front of the Notre Dame Island casino.

The strike took place as the workers denounced the standstill in discussions over the casino’s employees contract which, according to the Canadian Union of Public Employees, have not been resumed since last weekend. The collective agreement that regulates the working conditions of 521 croupiers expired March 31, with salaries and schedules among the issues at stake. 

"Things went well today despite the heavy rain," union representative Jean-Pierre Proulx said on Sunday night, according to CBC News. "It's mostly to demonstrate against our work hours. [And] our working conditions." Contract talks will resume on Tuesday with a mediator, he added. 

The strike was scheduled to continue until 8 PM, though Loto-Québec, which manages the province’s casinos, said the gaming tables remain open with the exception of the poker room, which shut down temporarily. Loto-Québec hopes to continue discussions with the union along similar lines to those accepted by employee groups at its other casinos.