Detroit Casino Workers Strike After No Deal On Contract ReachedEmployees Take To Picket Lines, But Casinos Stay Open |
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After a contract that expired in September and dragging negotiations, Detroit casino workers took to the picket line on Tuesday after both sides failed to reach an agreement. An original midnight deadline was pushed back to noon, but no deal was settled on.
The Detroit Casino Council represents 3,700 casino workers in five unions and has been negotiating with the city’s three casinos for weeks after workers voted to strike earlier this month.
“After we helped Detroit’s gaming industry get back on its feet, business is booming, but the people who make the casinos run are still struggling,” Unite Here Local 24 President Winston said in a news release. “Our goal is to reach a fair deal, but unfortunately, we’re still far apart. If the companies cannot do better, then we are prepared to strike.”
Strikes Affects Three Casinos
The striking employees work in food and beverage, housekeeping, retail outlets, slot and table games, and engineering. The work stoppage affects Detroit’s downtown properties – MGM Grand Detroit, Hollywood at Greektown, and MotorCity casinos.
This marks the city’s first casino strike since the properties began opening in the 1990s. It was unclear at first how many of the properties would attempt to stay open during the work stoppage “given state requirements to have licensed and trained workers,” according to the Detroit Free Press.
Detroit Casino Workers are ON STRIKE at MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino, and a Hollywood Casino at Greektown! pic.twitter.com/DqDYwPSfkX
— UNITE HERE Local 24 (@uhlocal24) October 17, 2023
However, by early Tuesday afternoon it appeared the three properties were continuing to operate at least to some capacity. The MGM Grand has already announced that it plans to remain open during the strike.
“We intend to continue to operate our business during any potential strike and will remain open this week and beyond,” MGM Midwest Group COO Matt Buckley outlined to employees in a letter on Tuesday. “We will take whatever lawful action is necessary to fill shifts and continue providing our customers with entertainment and service.”
The Hollywood casino posted on Twitter on Tuesday that the property remains open, although valet service is temporarily closed. MotorCity also reported on its website that the casino and hotel remain open, although some restaurants and bars, the spa, valet service, and gift shop were closed.
There appeared to be at least some hope at an agreement on Monday as the parties negotiated through the night. However, that didn’t come to fruition. Buckley said MGM made six proposals to the union, including the casino’s “largest pay increase” in its history.
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