Detroit — About 3,700 workers at Detroit's three casinos walked off the job at noon Tuesday after negotiations failed to reach new contracts, according to unions representing the employees.
Dealers, cleaning staff, food and beverage workers, valets, engineers and others are on strike at MGM Grand, MotorCity Casino Hotel and Hollywood Casino at Greektown.
The Detroit Casino Council — which includes the UAW, Unite Here Local 24, Teamsters Local 1038, Operating Engineers Local 324 and the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and represents the workers — has said it wants wages that keep up with inflation, retirement security, technology protections and other gains.
Hundreds of MGM Grand Detroit workers walked out of the casino Tuesday afternoon, They paced the sidewalks surrounding the casino, carrying signs that read "Detroit Casino Workers Need a Raise" and "Don't Gamble with our Future."
As they marched, they chanted, "If we don't get it, shut it down."
Among the picketers was Delphine Jones, a 68-year-old busser/server at the casino. Jones, who has worked for the casino for 17 years, said the workers are long overdue for pay raises. "We decided it's time to get out here," she said. "It's time to do what we have to do."
“Making the decision to strike is never easy, but it’s past time for the workers who keep Detroit’s casinos running to get their fair share,” said Nia Winston, president of Unite Here Local 24. “The city’s big three casino operators are earning more than ever, and we’re prepared to stay out on strike until we get what we deserve.”
Contracts between the casinos and the unions expired at midnight Monday. Officials with the three casinos have each said they are committed to reaching a fair contract. In a statement shortly after the strike began, Penn Entertainment, which owns Hollywood Casino at Greektown, said the facility will stay open.
“We are disappointed by the decision of the Detroit Casino Council as we have made generous, progressive settlement offers that position our team members and business for sustainable success," said Jeff Morris, vice president of public affairs for Penn Entertainment. "We will remain open for business to serve our customers and are committed to continued good-faith bargaining with the Detroit Casino Council to resolve the issues at hand as soon as possible.”
In a letter to employees Tuesday, Matt Buckley, president and chief operating officer of MGM Resorts Midwest Group, said MGM Grand Detroit would continue to operate and "remain open this week and beyond."
"We will continue to offer employees work, and to the extent employees represented by the union choose to participate in the strike, we will take whatever lawful action is necessary to fill shifts and continue providing our customers with entertainment and service," he wrote.
Buckley said the company has made six proposals to the union, including the current offer with "the single largest pay increase in the history of MGM Grand Detroit," and that it will "continue to negotiate with the union to reach an agreement that is good for all parties."
Workers on strike will receive some alternative compensation, spokesperson Meghan Cohorst said, but the details of that and from where the funds would come weren't immediately available. UAW spokesperson Jonah Furman confirmed that the union's approximately 1,000 members who work at the casinos will receive $500 per week in strike pay.
Staff Writer Jordyn Grzelewski contributed.
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