Thousands of workers at Detroit’s biggest casinos walked off the job Tuesday for a strike that seriously expands Michigan’s labor headaches.
The 4,000 workers, represented by the Detroit Casino Council, come from all aspects of the casino business, from engineers all the way to cleaning staff.
The work stoppage affects three major casinos in Detroit: MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino and Hollywood Casino at Greektown. The casinos have pledged to stay open despite the strike.
“We will take whatever lawful action is necessary to fill shifts and continue providing our customers with entertainment and service,” said Matt Buckley, president and chief operating officer of MGM Resorts Midwest Group.
The Detroit Casino Council is at the end of a three-year contract that the union entered at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The contract, the union argues, wasn’t adequate to keep up with the cost of living the past three years.
“In 2022, the Detroit casino industry generated $2.27 billion in gaming revenue and is on track for another record-breaking year in 2023,” the union said in a statement. “The three Detroit casinos collectively reported $813 million more in total gaming revenues in 2022 than in 2019, but total wages paid to workers represented by the DCC were $34 million less when comparing those same years.”
The union also wants better job security measures and improvements to benefits.
The strike comes as the United Auto Workers walkout continues to ravage the auto industry in the Midwest. The strikes are expected to cost Michigan millions.
• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.
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