On the heels of last Friday's layoff of 65 full-time unionized employees, the heartache continues this week at Casino Rama.
Several dozen non-unionized employees — managers and supervisors — were “walked out” of the casino throughout the day and night Monday.
“There’s been a lot of crying,” said one employee, who declined to provide his name amid fears of repercussions.
“Some of these people losing their jobs have been here since Day 1. It’s been an extremely stressful day here. It's awful.”
Robert Mitchell, the director of Gateway Casinos and Entertainment, Casino Rama’s operator, would not divulge the number of non-unionized employees who lost their jobs nor would he say how many employees have accepted company-promoted buyouts in recent months.
Casino insiders estimate the number of non-union job losses, coupled with the number of employees who have accepted buyouts, likely exceeds 150 people; that’s on top of the 65 laid off last week.
“The reasons for these staff adjustments were based on an analysis of our operations at Rama with the objective of maximizing their efficiency while providing the best customer experience possible,” Mitchell told OrilliaMatters.
“The reasons for these adjustments include reduced hours of operation at several of our restaurants, investments in new technology such as new security and surveillance systems, gaming management system and other basic business efficiencies,” he noted.
“A great deal of thought went into these decisions,” said Mitchell. “The health and welfare of our employees is a first priority for Gateway as it is for all our customers.”
But that sentiment rang a little hollow to a cleaner who was one of the 65 employees who received a layoff notice last week.
He said the process was “rushed”, the union was “not helpful” and he and his young family are left picking up the pieces.
The man, a two-year employee who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said he received a call about the layoff and was asked to sign off, over the phone, within 15 minutes. He refused and exercised his right to ask questions in person.
At that in-person meeting, he was told he was being “bumped” out of his job; he asked why he wasn’t able to “bump” a part-time employee so he could at least have a part-time job.
“The union rep and the casino .. they just fluffed me off. They didn’t have any answers,” he said.
Through the bumping process, a more senior employee from another department is able to stay employed by accepting a job in other areas. “So you could have a dealer take a room attendant position,” he said.
However, casino officials said it’s possible the cleaner could be offered a part-time job before his last day - July 29.
“In the meantime, our whole life is up in the air,” said his wife, as their two young children played together.
The couple said the loss of the job will lead to the loss of their kids’ subsidized day-care spots - something they had to wait for for years.
Perhaps more importantly, the loss of a full-time job would mean the end of his benefits - something that’s vital for the young family.
They wonder if things might have been different had Unifor not been successful in bringing a union to the casino several years ago.
“In my opinion,” said the employee’s wife, “the union has bled them dry. This never would have happened if the union didn’t come.”
Tshweu Moleme, a Unifor union rep at the casino, said he is “heartbroken” by the cuts.
“As a family man in Orillia, I feel the pain,” Moleme told OrilliaMatters. “I’m disheartened. As unionists say, ‘An injury to one is an injury to all.’”
He said the casino has had a “positive impact in our community over the last two decades” and was responsible for bringing many families to Orillia.
He is worried that legacy is being tarnished.
“How are young families especially to survive without work? Their livelihoods will certainly be in danger,” said Moleme.
But it’s more than wages. He said job losses can impact deeply.
“Something rarely discussed are the effects of unemployment on people’s mental health and, of course, from there, comes possible disruptions to family life, high demand for local social/medical services, and so on,” he explained.
“A lack of work will also bring sadness and unhappiness to the community. What of one’s sense of self-worth? How can our community thrive when some are left behind?”
Many are concerned the cuts could go deeper. Some have even questioned Gateway’s long-term plan and are worried they want to shutter the Rama facility while it shifts attention to building new casinos elsewhere.
Not so, said Mitchell.
“Of course, Gateway is committed to Casino Rama,” said Mitchell. “We just completed the first year of a 23-year lease as the service provider in Ontario to operate Rama.”
He stressed the moves are related to industry-wide changes.
“Unfortunately, like any business, we have to respond to the ebb and flow of market demand and the introduction of new technologies that sometimes displace people,” said Mitchell. “This is true of any private-sector business and is not just limited to gaming.”
But Moleme said Casino Rama’s employees are the reason the facility east of Orillia has always been successful.
“We are called the best for very good reason and for these reasons, a case can be made for the continuation of successful business in Rama,” he said.
“There’s a lot that can be done to reverse negative impacts our local economy and families are currently battling,” Moleme said.
“I remain encouraged that, if willing and wanting to strengthen our local economy, the reset button can be hit and Casino Rama can continue being a major competitor in the industry, a leader.”
Casino Rama, which opened in July of 1996, is jointly owned by the Chippewas of Rama First Nation and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.
Rama First Nation did not respond to a request for comment on this story.
