Striking Detroit casino workers get encouragement from AFL-CIO president
As a strike at three Detroit casinos enters its second month, the leader of the nation's most powerful union has issued a stern warning to casino owners.
“It’s time for Detroit casinos to stop putting workers’ livelihoods at risk,” AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler said Wednesday while addressing workers at MotorCity Casino.
Schuler explained that union workers have kept the gaming industry afloat during the pandemic, and even though Michigan casinos are making record profits, they "refuse to take care of their workers." Schuler called it unethical, unjust and unfair in an interview with the Michigan Advance.
The workers are represented by the Detroit Casino Council (DCC). The DCC said this week that ongoing negotiations are now limited to "core economic issues," The Detroit News reported.
“It’s ridiculous that Detroit’s lucrative casino industry is forcing workers to stay outside in the cold to protect their health care and get adequate raises,” the DCC told The News this week.
The casino company recently signed a temporary contract with workers in Las Vegas, the DCC reported.
"We're dealing with some of the same players here. So why should Detroit be treated any differently? It's time for Detroit casinos to give the people of Detroit the respect they deserve."
Negotiations continue
During negotiations earlier this month, the casino company offered to cut health insurance premiums from $60 to $40 in the first year of the contract and raise wages to $1.95 an hour. The union is demanding that health insurance premiums remain zero for the first year and wages increase by $3.25 an hour.
But the two sides have yet to reach an agreement.
Negotiations are ongoing and we hope to reach an agreement soon," Jason Barczy, spokesman for the MGM Grand in Detroit, said in an email to The News this week.
The strike began on October 17. About 3,700 workers at MotorCity, the MGM Grand in Detroit and the Hollywood Casino are on strike. Casinos remain open, but some services are restricted.
Casino sales record drop
When the strike began, Detroit's three gaming companies reported monthly revenue declines of 18.3% in October.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board reported this week that casino revenue fell between 16.5% and 20.2% in October compared with September figures.
DCC unions include Unite Here Local 24, United Auto Workers, Teamsters Local 1038, Operating Engineers Local 324 and the Michigan Area Carpenters Council.
This includes card issuers, cleaning staff, food and beverage workers, waiters and engineers.
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Source: www.casino.org
