The 'Starlight Casino' logo, the new name of the Point Edward Casino, welcomes patrons entering the renovated facility. December 29, 2017. (Photo courtesy of Robert Mitchell of Gateway)The 'Starlight Casino' logo, the new name of the Point Edward Casino, welcomes patrons entering the renovated facility. December 29, 2017. (Photo courtesy of Robert Mitchell of Gateway)
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Casino Layoffs In Point Edward

A reduction in hours and new automated technology have led to the layoff of six people at Gateway's Pt. Edward casino.

Five full time and one part-time worker have been let go at Starlight Casino as Gateway works to find efficiencies.

In May of 2017, the company issued a guarantee that all 325 local jobs would be secure for a least one year.

Gateway Director of Communications Rob Mitchell says they'll likely be hiring more workers after their multi-million dollar revamp is complete in the coming months.

"We continue to expand there in Pt. Edward and, as you know, we've been in the process of an ongoing $26-million renovation at that site," says Mitchell. "I think some of these jobs will be balanced as we expand and open the new food and beverage offerings that we have there."

Mitchell says some displaced workers could be offered positions at any of the 25 casinos Gateway operates across Canada.

Unifor Local 444, which represents the workers, was expressing concerns over the layoffs following privatization of the casino last year.

A total of 19 people were laid off at Pt. Edward, Dresden and Sudbury.

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