Detroit Casino Owners Try and Fail to Quell Ongoing Strike

Article by : Erik Gibbs Nov 8, 2023

• 
• 

Detroit’s casino companies have made a slight concession during recent negotiations regarding healthcare premiums. However, the union’s negotiating committee, representing the striking workers, deems this concession insufficient.

As the strike enters its fourth week on Tuesday, it has been reported that the latest management proposal requires workers to pay $40 for health care premiums, down from the previous offer of $60.

The union’s stance remains firm, advocating for workers to continue paying no premium at all, as conveyed in a video posted by the United Auto Workers on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Additionally, last week, the union disclosed that management had offered workers a $1.95 per hour wage increase during the contract’s first year. The union’s position is to secure a $3.25 hourly increase.

On October 17, 3,700 workers initiated a strike at three Detroit gaming establishments: Hollywood Casino at Greektown, MGM Grand Detroit and MotorCity Casino Hotel. Workers are urging the public not to patronize these three casinos.

The Detroit Casino Council (DCC), representing the workers, recently set up donation bins for their members at these properties. Union members persist in conveying their concerns to the public and highlighting the casinos’ profits.

Nia Winston, the president of Unite Here Local 24, emphasized in a recent video that 3,700 Detroit Casino Council workers are currently on strike, advocating for respect, economic justice, job security, reduced workloads and a fair contract.

Despite the strike, the casinos remain open, although certain services and offerings have been reduced.

The workers have expressed concerns about the potential threat to their jobs due to increased technology implementation in gaming properties.

Susan Gallagher, a bartender at Hollywood Casino at Greektown, points out that the presence of four smart bars has already led to the elimination of bartender positions.

Union members are employed across various sectors, including food and beverage, housekeeping, retail, slots and table games and engineering.

In a separate development in Las Vegas, tens of thousands of members from the Culinary Union and Bartenders Union are prepared to go on strike at Las Vegas properties if a contract is not reached by Friday. The unions are currently assembling picket signs in anticipation of a potential work stoppage.

According to Ted Pappageorge, Secretary-Treasurer of the Culinary Union, there has been some progress in negotiations, as reported by Las Vegas TV station KTNV. Pappageorge indicated that there had been progress in the past week since the strike deadline was announced, and there is a sense of cautious optimism.

The potential strike could affect 18 properties operated by MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment and Wynn Resorts. Approximately 35,000 hospitality workers in Las Vegas have been working without a contract since September, and last month, 95% of the workers authorized a strike.

Notably, the Friday deadline is just a few days before the highly anticipated Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, scheduled to take place from November 16 to 19.