Works at Detroit Casinos Prepare for Potential Strike
The vast majority of unionized workers in Detroit's gambling establishments have expressed their desire to go on strike. On Friday, with 99% of the union members participating, they officially approved a strike later this month.
During the decisive vote, 99% of the members of the Detroit Casino Council (DCC) approved a potential walkout. This could happen as early as October 16, coinciding with the expiration of existing contracts.
Wage hikes, retirement, and shielding workers from new technology's detrimental effects during negotiations are among the unions' main concerns.
The represented group is comprised of workers from various roles at MGM Grand Detroit, Hollywood Casino at Greektown, and MotorCity Casino Hotel.
Terri Sykes, president of UAW Local 7777, made a statement after the vote. She emphasized that these employees supported their companies through COVID-19 and are now ready to advocate for fair pay. "We're the ones who stayed with the companies during COVID and gave our all," she said. "But they're making more than their fair share while we're not seeing ours. Our members are sending a message to these companies that we're prepared to stand together and battle for what we merit."
She argued that the most recent three-year contract extension, ratified in September 2020, merely offered "minimal wage raises." Since then, gaming earnings have soared, topping pre-pandemic levels and reaching a new high of around $2.27 billion in the previous year. This year, between January and August, Detroit casinos are on track for even more impressive revenue, according to DCC predictions.
Evaluating All Options
Just like auto workers, Blue Cross Blue Shield staff, UPS employees, writers, and hotel employees, Detroit casino workers consider all available approaches to ensure a single job at a Detroit casino is sufficient to support a family. We anticipate that the casinos will attend to our demands to prevent a strike, said Nia Winston, president of Unite Here Local 24.
The DCC is composed of Unite Here Local 24, the UAW, Teamsters Local 1038, Operating Engineers Local 324, and the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters.
The employees in this union work in positions across food and beverage, housekeeping, retail outlets, slots and tables, and engineering.
Exhibit in Las Vegas
This Detroit vote took place just days after Culinary and Bartenders Union members, based in Las Vegas, approved a strike at Vegas's gaming properties. This union represents hotel staff, bartenders, and non-gaming staff at major casinos along the Las Vegas Strip. Having reached a contract extension deadline in June, the union's contracts with MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, and Wynn/Encore Resorts are now ongoing until September.
Recently, 95% of the union's members voted to authorize a strike at Las Vegas locations should negotiations fail to result in a fresh deal.
In response to this imminent strike threat, on Friday, Detroit casino employees also approved a strike, which may take place anytime around the contract expiry date.
