2023 Detroit casino strike
On October 17, 2023, casino workers in Detroit began a strike against MGM Resorts International and Penn Entertainment, two gambling companies which operate casinos in the city. Casino workers in Michigan's largest city, represented by the Detroit Casino Council (DCC), failed to reach a labor contract.[1][2]
Background
The DCC is a group of labor organizations which is made up of five organizations: UNITE HERE Local 24, the United Auto Workers (UAW), Teamsters Local 1038, Operating Engineers Local 324, and the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters, and represents 3,700 casino employees.[1] The DCC demanded a higher wage which kept up with the pace of inflation, which since 2021 has experienced a global surge. Casino worker representatives also stated that due to the casino industry struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the number of workers who have left the industry, existing workers took up a larger load of work for the smaller pay previously.[1]
Offers
MGM argued that the deal that it had offered the DCC workers included the largest single pay increase in the history of the MGM Grand Detroit. The company previously offered five other proposals.
The UAW released a statement on their website outlining that the final proposals before the strike deadline failed to alleviate their concerns on healthcare, job security, wage increases, high workloads, and retirement value improvement.[3]
Strike action and responses
The strike officially began on October 17, 2023, after a deal could not be reached. MGM and Penn announced that their casinos would remain open. throughout the weekend of October 22-23. The casinos affected initially were the MGM Grand Detroit, Hollywood Casino at Greektown, and MotorCity Casino Hotel.[4][5]
The DCC estimated that operators would lose $3.4 million in revenue per day, with the single largest loss being from the MGM Grand Detroit at $1.7 million per day struck.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d Oladipo, Doyinsola (2023-10-17). "Detroit casino workers go on strike after failed talks". Reuters. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
- ^ "Detroit casino workers go on strike at MGM Grand, MotorCity and Hollywood after contract expires - CBS Detroit". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
- ^ "Detroit Casino Workers Strike After Casinos Play Hardball on Wages, Healthcare". UAW. 2023-10-17. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
- ^ "Detroit casino workers strike in bid for better pay". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
- ^ Daniels, Serena Maria (2023-10-17). "Thousands of Workers From Detroit's Three Casinos Are on Strike". Eater Detroit. Retrieved 2023-10-17.