Unifor National, Caesars presidents sit in on 'exploratory' meetings on day 56 of casino strike

Unifor National president, Jerry Dias and the regional president of of Caesars Windsor, Kevin Laforet will join round table discussions Thursday.

But the discussions are not official bargaining talks, according toUniforLocal 444 presidentDave Cassidy. Instead, the talksinvolvinga mediator are "exploratory" as the two sides of this labour dispute struggle to find a solution.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Cassidy said the teams have decided to have more of these meetings.

"So far the meetings have been constructive, well received and have brought clarity to misinformation," wrote Cassidy.

The discussions will be kept to about 30 people per session and people are welcomed on a first come first serve basis.

There are 12 meetings scheduled up until Sunday.

Thursday will mark the 56thday that 2,300 Caesarsemployees have been out on strike.

About 53 per cent of union members voted "no"to the second tentative agreementlaid out for them on May 18.

The casino and hotel announced there would bemore cancellations due to the strikeandsome couples are scrambling for a solution orback-up plan for theirwedding bookings.