Deal reached to end casino strike

Thursday, April 29, 2004 | 10:50 a.m.

WINDSOR, Ontario -- Casino Windsor could reopen as early as Saturday after a tentative deal was reached Wednesday, the 26th day of a bitter strike.

The announcement came after a full day of back-and-forth bargaining through provincial mediators at a local hotel.

"It was an extremely tough set of negotiations because of the pressures in the gaming industry today," said Ken Lewenza, president of Local 444 of the Canadian Auto Workers union. "We feel we've pushed the casino to the maximum limit."

While refusing to provide specifics, Lewenza said the three-year deal provides improvements in wages, benefits, working conditions and the pension plan.

A ratification vote by the 3,500 unionized workers was expected Friday.

Casino lawyer George King said that assuming the contract is ratified, the casino could open Saturday.

King said Casino Windsor was fairly satisfied with the deal. "As I learned in law school the best deals are the ones where both sides are a little bit unhappy," he said.