The Canadian Auto Workers union is asking the Ontario government to supplement the incomes of hospitality workers who are laid off because of the province's smoking ban and to provide retraining for them.
Smoking ban help wanted -ON
Anne Jarvis, Windsor Star
March 15, 2006
CAW says province should supplement laid-off workers
The Canadian Auto Workers union is asking the Ontario government to supplement the incomes of hospitality workers who are laid off because of the province's smoking ban and to provide retraining for them.
"There is going to be a period of transition," said Ken Lewenza, president of CAW Local 444, which represents Casino Windsor employees.
Lewenza and other members of the local's executive have met with Windsor West MPP and Community and Social Services Minister Sandra Pupatello to propose a transitional assistance benefit program.
Pupatello was away Tuesday and not available to comment.
Smoking will be banned in all public buildings and workplaces in Ontario starting May 31.
The casino's senior managers have told the union they are predicting at least a 30 per cent drop in business followed by layoffs, Lewenza told Pupatello in a letter.
Lewenza compares the program his local is proposing to one established by the federal government in 1965 because of the Autopact. The union is suggesting a weekly benefit of 70 per cent of pay plus an allowance of 3.5 per cent of weekly earnings for each dependent. The total benefit could be as high as 77 per cent of lost wages.
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