After a week on strike, the loss of profits at the Casino de Montreal continues to increase, now approaching the equivalent of what the croupiers are demanding, estimates the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).

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“The casino is a state corporation that brings a lot of money into public coffers to pay for our health and education services. We want to continue to do our part to fill these coffers, but we can no longer do so to the detriment of our health,” declared Jean-Pierre Proulx, CUPE union representative, specifying that the dispute mainly concerns 15 minutes of breaks that the employer does not want paid.

The gaming tables being closed, the establishment has lost many profits since May 21.

"The profits of the gaming tables depend largely on the speed of the croupiers and in this regard, these employees are among the best in the industry," CUPE said in a press release.

On the side of Loto-Québec, we consider the demands of the croupiers of the Casino de Montréal too high. “The croupiers of the Casino de Montréal ask for 30 minutes of paid break for each hour worked. They would therefore spend more than 30% of their shift on paid break, which is unusual in the industry and the other casinos of the Company,” the company said in a press release.

The Crown corporation also adds that employees are currently entitled to two hours of breaks on an eight-hour shift. “The Company does not observe the increase in injuries mentioned by the union”, it was also specified.

Loto-Québec reminds that the Casino remains open for all its activities with the exception of the poker room.