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After months of negotiations and 32 days on strike, the Detroit Casino Council announced it had reached a tentative agreement with three Detroit Casinos.
The council of five unions representing most casino workers reached a tentative agreement for a new five-year contract with:
- MGM Grand Detroit
- MotorCity Casino
- Hollywood Casino at Greektown
According to a news release issued earlier today, the unions will continue to strike until the members approve the proposed settlement. Detroit casino workers went on strike on Oct. 17.
The five-year tentative agreement affects 3,700 employees working as dealers, housekeepers, food and beverage employees, valets and engineers.
After months of negotiations & 32 days on strike, the Detroit Casino Council has reached a Tentative Agreement for a new 5-year contract w/@mgmgranddetroit @HwoodGreektown @motorcitycasino for 3700 casino workers. Best agreement in history of Detroit casino industry. pic.twitter.com/K485GUtQq6
— UNITE HERE Local 24 (@uhlocal24) November 17, 2023
What does the tentative agreement include?
Once the proposed five-year contract gets officially approved, Detroit casino workers will see:
- An immediate 18% pay raise on average
- No health care cost increases for employees
- Workload reductions in housekeeping and other classifications resulting from 1500 fewer workers post-pandemic
- First-ever technology protections to guarantee advanced notification when new technology is introduced that impacts job
- Retirement increases
The agreement is subject to a ratification vote by five unions that comprise the Detroit Casino Council:
- UNITE HERE Local 24
- UAW Local 7777
- Teamsters Local 1038
- Operating Engineers Local 324
- Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters
Tavera McCree, a Valet Cashier at Hollywood Casino at Greektown and member of Teamsters Local 1038 commented in the Detroit council’s news release:
“Our strike showed the casino industry and the world just what Detroit’s casino workers are made of. This is a defining moment for workers in Detroit and nationwide.
The gains we have made will change the lives of so many families who are living paycheck to paycheck. I would like to thank everyone who stood strong on the picket line to make this win possible.”
Further details about the new union collective bargaining agreement will remain undisclosed. Workers first need to review the terms of the proposed settlement and vote on whether to accept it. Detroit Casino Council members will likely vote on ratifying the contract soon, but no date has been specified.
The strike has also impacted October gaming revenue for Detroit casinos, representing a 18.3% drop from September. Revenue from three Detroit casinos for October came to $82.8 million and was the lowest monthly total since December 2020.
Las Vegas casino unions reached agreement with three casinos
Last week, Las Vegas casino hotel and restaurant workers reached a tentative agreement with three casinos to prevent a previously announced strike. The unions set a strike deadline at 5 a.m. local time on Nov. 10.
Two days before that deadline, the Culinary Workers Union in Las Vegas reached a tentative deal with Caesars Entertainment. Two parties managed to sign a tentative agreement toward a 5-year contract affecting nearly 10,000 workers at nine Las Vegas properties.
One day after, the Culinary and Bartenders Union revealed a similar agreement involving about 25,400 workers at eight MGM Las Vegas properties.
Only three hours before the 5 a.m. strike deadline, the unions reached a final agreement with Wynn Resorts on Nov. 10. The contract covers working conditions for approximately 5,000 employees at two Wynn Resorts sites, Wynn and Encore.
