Yesterday it seemed as though the strikes plaguing the operations of the three casinos in Detroit were over after a tentative agreement between the operators and the Detroit Casino Council was reached.
However, workers at MGM Grand Detroit have voted against accepting the offer and will continue their strike.
While the workers at Hollywood Casino Greektown and MotorCity have opted to take up the offer, MGM Grand workers will strike for another offer after rejecting the union’s first deal.
The contract included the largest wage increase ever negotiated in Detroit’s 23-year casino history, an immediate average pay rise of 18%, no health care cost increases for employees, workload reductions and other job protections, first-ever technology contract language and retirement increases.
This is a very disappointing result, especially considering the historic nature of our offer,” MGM Grand said in a letter to employees.
While the 34-day strike at the other two properties has now ended, MGM Grand staff will continue their walkout while further negotiations take place.
The Detroit Casino Council stated: “Union members at MGM Grand Casino voted to reject the proposed deal and will continue to strike. More bargaining dates will be scheduled. Membership at each casino property voted separately about whether to accept the deal.”
The Michigan Gaming Control Board’s latest data displayed that the three casinos made $82.8m in October trading, a fall of nearly 20% year-over-year.
November revenue will likely be impacted to a greater extent as workers continued their strike for an additional two-and-a-half weeks.
