After 47 days of striking, workers at the MGM Grand Detroit will return to the property after voting overwhelmingly in favor of ratifying a new five-year contract.
MGM Grand workers had previously opted to reject a first deal last month despite workers at the other two properties, MotorCity Casino and Hollywood Casino at Greektown, agreeing to end their strike after just 34 days.
It came after the Detroit Casino Council of five unions – UNITE HERE Local 24, UAW Local 7777, Teamsters Local 1038, Operating Engineers Local 324, and the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters – announced that a tentative five-year deal that looked to bring an end to the strikes at the city’s three casinos which began on Oct. 17.
But after a further two weeks of negotiations, MGM Grand workers have now brought their action to a close, meaning the 1,700 property employees can return to work.
Under the terms of the deal, workers will benefit from the largest ever MGM Grand Detroit wage increase, securing an immediate $3 per hour raise and a $5 per hour raise across the duration of the contract.
This reflects an 18% average wage increase, falling just short of the initial union demands of 21% – matching inflation in Detroit since the last contract was penned.
Furthermore, workers will secure protected healthcare standards with no increased employee costs, reducing workloads in housekeeping that resulted from 1500 fewer workers after the pandemic.
Workers will also get a technology protections guarantee that notifies the union when new technology is introduced that impacts jobs or requires new training.
Other negotiated benefits include an option for a bonus up front for the second year of the contracts, a first-ever 401k match option up to $1000, and a paid Juneteenth holiday.
“I am happy to announce that MGM employees ratified their contract tonight. I am impressed by how all the unions and members worked together to win an excellent contract. I’m looking forward to going back to work,” said Patrick Nichols, a dealer at MGM Grand Detroit and member of UAW Local 7777.
