Casino Employees in Detroit Gather at Capitol to Back Minimum Wage Legislation During Labor Strike
Over 300 union members currently on strike at the casinos in Detroit gathered at the Michigan Capitol Building in Lansing on Tuesday, hoping to gather support from local legislators.
These casino employees are pushing for a bill known as SB 171, which could raise the minimum wage in specific cities of Michigan. This bill would allow local authorities to set a higher minimum wage than the state-wide rate, providing more funds for their communities. The current rate of minimum wage in Michigan is $10.10 per hour.
"We're asking Michigan leaders to join us on the picket line because the wages we're receiving simply cannot catch up with the rising cost of living," Terri Smith, a table games dealer at the Greektown Casino and a member of the UAW Local 777, said in a statement from the union.
The protest began on October 17, when close to 3,700 workers from the MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino, and Hollywood Casino at Greektown went on strike following the expiration of their contracts. These employees are seeking higher salaries and improved job security.
At present, no official statement of support from the state's political leaders has been made regarding the ongoing strike.
Last month, Michigan's Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, D, expressed his solidarity with the workers at a Detroit rally, stating "We, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and I, stand with you. Because everything that every Michigander is thankful for came from a union."
Council Support
This isn't the first time these striking casino workers have visited government assemblies.
Last week, at a Detroit City Council meeting, around 700 union members were in attendance. The council unanimously passed a resolution to express their support for the striking workers. The resolution states that they stand "in solidarity with striking Detroit casino workers."
After three weeks, the workers' strike is ongoing. There is reportedly progress in the negotiations between the union and management.
The Detroit Casino Council, which represents the union members, is made up of different unions, namely Unite Here Local 24, the UAW, Teamsters Local 1038, Operating Engineers Local 324, and the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters. These union members work in fields such as food and beverage, housekeeping, retail, slots and table games, and engineering.
Despite the ongoing strike, the city's three casinos remain open for business. However, certain services within these properties have been reduced.
In a statement released to the Detroit TV station WXYZ, the Hollywood Casino at Greektown remarked:
"We are disheartened by the decision of the Detroit Casino Council, as we have extended extremely generous, progressive negotiated settlement offers that benefit both our team members and business. We're open for business to serve our customers and remain committed to continued good-faith bargaining with the Detroit Casino Council to resolve the issues as soon as possible."
In Nevada, a strike may be imminent if union members, also working without a contract, vote to go on strike. The Culinary Union has authorized a walkout in Las Vegas. A group of 75 union members and officials were recently arrested for obstructing traffic on the Las Vegas Strip.
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Source: www.casino.org
