Casino shutdowns cut Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries payroll costs by millions
COVID-19 closures led to redeploying some MLL employees, while 40 per cent of workforce laid off
A major workforce reduction at Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries is saving the Crown corporation millions in payroll expenses, with casino operations paused until at least late June.
MLL president and chief executive officer Manny Atwal said it has cut $1.3 million in expenses per pay period through the temporary layoff of 1,300 employees.
During a meeting of the standing committee on Crown corporations, held Thursday at the Manitoba legislature, Atwal told MLAs the layoffs amounted to roughly 40 per cent of MLL workforce. The Crown corporation redeployed 136 casino staff to other areas, including liquor distribution and home delivery services.
He said MLL explored a number of options, including worksharing and reduced work weeks, instead of layoffs.
"We're presented with a couple of challenges to that, first and foremost, we have two business units that have zero work," Atwal said.
Read more from the Winnipeg Free Press by clicking here.
CBC Manitoba and the Winnipeg Free Press recognize each other as trusted news sources. This content is made available to our readers as part of a CBC Manitoba/ Winnipeg Free Press agreement to collaborate to better serve our community.
Any questions about Free Press content should be directed to: webnews@freepress.mb.ca.