The fountains at Caesars Windsor. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.The fountains at Caesars Windsor. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.
Windsor

Slowly But Surely, Caesars Awakens

A new day appears to be dawning at Caesars Windsor.

Thursday is the first day of business for Windsor's premier entertainment venue after a two-month strike completely shuttered operations.

Over 2,100 employees are back to work, having approved a new contract on Monday to settle the longest labour dispute in casino history. The employees include dealers, hospitality workers, housekeepers, security guards, cooks, and custodians. Many employees had smiling faces Thursday as they walked the casino floor greeting patrons.

The official re-opening of the casino was at 11am, and Jhoan Baluyot, Caesars' public relations and communications manager, tells BlackburnNewsWindsor.com customers were eager to be back.

"There were a few people waiting to get inside when it was 11am," says Baluyot. "We've had a steady flow all day."

A look at the casino floor showed foot traffic typical of a Thursday morning, with plenty of patrons using the slot machines and the table games. The fourth floor of the parking garage, which is directly connected to the walkway leading into the casino, was almost full of cars as of noon. About 70% of the licence plates were from Ontario with the rest from Michigan.

Vehicles almost completely fill the fourth floor of the parking structure at Caesars Windsor on the first day of business following a two-month labour dispute, June 7, 2018. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.

The casino is working to regain the trust and loyalty of patrons who were put off by the labour dispute. Baluyot says members of the Caesars loyalty program are receiving correspondence with special offers tailored to their status, and there is a special hotel offer which has already gotten a tremendous response.

"Spaces are filling up fast, we're almost at full capacity for our hotel on Saturday and Sunday," says Baluyot.

Most of the Colosseum shows postponed during the strike have been rescheduled, including popular Canadian comic Russell Peters. Other acts, namely Barry Manilow, have been added to the schedule.

The Caesars Windsor official website has complete information on hotel reservations and offers, along with information on rescheduled shows.

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