Detroit Casino Workers Hint at Possible Strike

Article by : Erik Gibbs Sep 30, 2023

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Unionized workers at the three Detroit casinos are preparing to vote today on permitting potential strikes when their labour contracts expire next month.

These workers have been engaged in negotiations with the casinos since early September. The list of casinos includes Hollywood Casino at Greektown, MGM Grand Detroit and MotorCity.

The authorization vote comes when over 18,300 UAW members are on strike across Michigan and 20 other states, along with an additional 1,000-plus UAW members employed by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

Should the casino workers vote in favour of authorization, the Negotiating Committee of the Detroit Casino Council can call for strikes as early as mid-October, coinciding with the expiration of the current contracts.

These workers operate under a three-year extension to a five-year contract that began in 2015. Their primary focus in negotiations is securing wage increases to keep pace with the rising cost of living.

With additional UAW auto workers joining picket lines, a different set of employees in Detroit is initiating the process that could lead to strikes.

These workers, responsible for the bulk of operations at Detroit’s three casinos, encompassing gaming floor activities such as slots and table games, along with roles in restaurants, bars, retail establishments, hotels, cleaning, maintenance and various other functions, are conducting a vote on Friday.

After the COVID-related closures, employees at Detroit’s casinos made sacrifices, forgoing raises and taking on increased workloads to aid the industry’s recovery, as noted by the UAW.

However, despite the gaming sector achieving all-time high revenues from in-person and online gaming, these workers need help with financial challenges.

Earlier this month, it was reported that the three Detroit casinos experienced a year-over-year decline in revenue for August.

Although there was a slight increase in slot and table game revenue, a decrease in sports betting revenue contributed to an overall drop in revenue, which amounted to $104.9 million.

This figure represented a moderate decline from the $106.14 million recorded in the same period the previous year.

If it passes, the outcome of this vote can set the stage for strikes at the casinos, according to DCC.

The Detroit Casino Council comprises five unions representing employees at the three casinos: UNITE HERE Local 24, UAW, Teamsters Local 1038, Operating Engineers Local 324, and the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters.