The general strike by Confédération des Syndicats Nationaux-affiliated employees at Loto-Quebec casinos is over after the operator reached a ‘responsible agreement’ with the union.

The move brings an end to a dispute that saw months of disruption after 1,700 employees across Loto-Quebec’s Montreal, Mont-Tremblant, Charlevoix and Gatineau casinos started a strike in June to display their displeasure over pay and working conditions.

Demanding wage increases equivalent to the rise in the cost of living, plus $1 per hour, the CSN suggested that Loto-Québec was making significant profits from which its workers should feel the benefit.

On the other hand, Loto-Quebec took aim at what it believed to be excessive demands from the CSN, which was allegedly asking for more than double the amount granted to all the other employees of the organization in the past year.

The situation showed no signs of abating as the months rumbled on but, in a short press release on the Loto-Quebec website on Tuesday, September 26, it was announced that “all its CSN‑affiliated staff – who work at its four casinos and in the customer service team dedicated to online gaming – have accepted the recommendation brought forth by the Ministère du Travail conciliator”.

The crown corporation added: “Operations will gradually resume as these employees return to work in the coming weeks. Loto‑Québec asks customers to visit the casino websites to find out when the gaming locations are open and what services are available.”