We sacrificed our raises and our safety during COVID in order to keep the casinos open.
We thought we were making a deal: if we tightened our belts when times were hard for the companies during COVID, we would then share in the prosperity when business came back.
There was no deal. We now have to stand up and reset the relationship between us and the companies.
WE HAVE FIVE ISSUES:
Protect the healthcare standard we’ve built over two decades.
Win job security/technology language that already exists in other casino markets.
Improve the value of our retirement where there has been no increase in 8 years.
Reduce the workloads that have resulted from 1500 fewer workers post pandemic.
Secure the largest wage increases in the history of the Detroit casinos.
Detroit casino workers need a raise AND a job that respects our health, our future and once again allows us to be proud to work at Detroit’s casinos.
https://www.detroitcasinocouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/dcc.png00detroitcchttps://www.detroitcasinocouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/dcc.pngdetroitcc2023-10-17 12:00:492023-10-17 11:42:06Casino Workers On Strike
Workers made sacrifices to keep the industry afloat amidst the pandemic, call for their fair share as industry booms
DETROIT—Thousands of union casino workers are on strike today after months of full-table negotiations and meetings by department failed to result in a deal with the city’s three casinos. The workers, represented by the Detroit Casino Council (DCC), are seeking contract improvements after years of pandemic hardship, but casino management remains unwilling to deliver a fair contract for workers.
The union worked all night to prepare revised proposals in the hopes of averting a strike. The companies came back with a final proposal late Tuesday morning that the unions rejected based on five core concerns that the companies’ offer failed to meet, including protecting healthcare, winning job security/technology language that already exists in other casino markets, improving the value of retirement where there has been no increase in eight years, reducing the high workloads that have resulted from 1500 fewer jobs post pandemic, and securing significant wage increases to make up for the ones workers sacrificed during the pandemic.
The strike has a wall-to-wall impact on operations at the MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino, and Hollywood Casino at Greektown, involving 3,700 workers employed in positions throughout the properties including dealers, cleaning staff, food and beverage workers, valets, engineers and more.
“Making the decision to strike is never easy, but it’s past time for the workers who keep Detroit’s casinos running to get their fair share,” said Nia Winston, President of UNITE HERE Local 24, the union of hospitality workers in Detroit. “The city’s big three casino operators are earning more than ever, and we’re prepared to stay out on strike until we get what we deserve.”
“The company is offering us nickels and dimes, and they want us to pay more for healthcare,” says Terri Sykes, a dealer at MotorCity Casino with 24 years of service and President of UAW Local 7777. “As a two-time breast cancer survivor, I’m fighting to protect our health care. These companies are making more than ever, and it’s time they respect us for all the sacrifices we made to keep the doors open during the pandemic.”
“I’m a mother of two and will welcome my third child by the end of the year. I’m willing to go on strike to fight for what my family and I need,” said Shataya Thompson, a valet cashier at MotorCity Casino and member of Teamsters Local 1038. “We need a fair contract that guarantees good wages that keep up with inflation and also protects our healthcare.”
“There are 1,500 fewer people working in Detroit casinos, but there is the same amount of work to do. I can’t always take a lunch break or enjoy my hard-earned vacation time,” said Milledge McCaster, a 14-year Lead Engineer at Hollywood Casino at Greektown and member of Operating Engineers Local 324. “During the pandemic, we made sacrifices to help the industry, but now that they are making more money than ever, they’ve forgotten that.”
“We are fighting from Detroit to Vegas, from Biloxi to Pennsylvania ,to raise wages and standards for casino workers,” said Gwen Mills, Secretary-Treasurer of UNITE HERE International Union, the union of North American hospitality workers. “Hospitality workers overall across the US and Canada kept the doors open during the pandemic, risking their health and forgoing raises. Now they are striking in Detroit, Los Angeles and Vancouver, along with hundreds of thousands of other workers from other industries, demanding a share in the prosperity that the hospitality industry is currently experiencing.”
Detroit’s casino workers sacrificed raises and shouldered heavier workloads so the industry could recover from the pandemic. In September 2020, workers agreed to a three-year contract extension with minimal wage increases to help the industry get back on its feet. Since then, Detroit casino workers have received only 3% raises, but inflation in Detroit has risen 20%.
In contrast, industry gaming revenues have now surpassed pre-pandemic levels to reach a new record high. 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 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.
According to a report released by the DCC on Monday, each day of a strike could put approximately $738,000 in city and state tax revenues and $3.4 million in casino operator revenues at risk. For the City of Detroit, this wagering tax is a critical source of revenue used to fund job creation, public safety, economic development, and youth development programs. In 2022, the wagering tax was the City’s second highest revenue source, even surpassing property taxes.
###
The Detroit Casino Council (DCC) is UNITE HERE Local 24, the UAW, Teamsters Local 1038, Operating Engineers Local 324, and the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters. These five unions represent most of the workers at the three casinos in Detroit: Hollywood Casino at Greektown, MGM Grand Detroit, and MotorCity Casino. Our members work in food and beverage, housekeeping, retail outlets, slots and table games, engineering and more. The DCC partner unions are part of International Unions that have experience representing gaming workers and winning great contracts throughout the United States, including in Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
https://www.detroitcasinocouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/dcc.png00detroitcchttps://www.detroitcasinocouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/dcc.pngdetroitcc2023-10-17 12:00:282023-11-13 16:15:41Detroit Casino Workers Strike After Casinos Play Hardball on Wages, Healthcare
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 16, 2023 Annemarie Strassel, 312-617-0495, [email protected] or
Meghan Cohorst, 239-503-1533, [email protected]
Hours Before Contract Expires, Billion-Dollar Casinos Continue to Play Hardball on Worker Wages and Healthcare
Detroit’s Casino Workers Voted by 99% to Authorize a Strike
DETROIT—Unionized casino workers in Detroit are seeking contract improvements after years of pandemic hardship. However, just hours before contracts are set to expire casino management is unwilling to deliver a fair contract for workers. In a report released today, the Detroit Casino Council (DCC) estimates that, if workers are forced to strike at MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino, and Hollywood Casino at Greektown, it could put at risk approximately $738,000 in city and state tax revenues and $3.4 million in casino operator revenues per day. At-risk revenue includes:
$452,000 per day in tax revenue for the City of Detroit;
$286,000 per day in tax revenue for the State of Michigan;
$1.7 million per day in revenues for MGM Grand Detroit (operated by MGM Resorts International);
$1.1 million per day in revenues for MotorCity Casino; and
$652,000 per day in revenues for Hollywood Casino at Greektown (operated by PENN Entertainment).
For the City of Detroit, the wagering tax is a critical source of revenue used to fund job creation, public safety, economic development, and youth development programs. In 2022, the wagering tax was the City’s second highest revenue source, even surpassing property taxes.
The DCC has spent more than 160 hours in full-table negotiations and has held dozens of subcommittee meetings by department since the summer with a goal of reaching a deal. Still, workers and management remain far apart on wages, healthcare, retirement security, technology language, a fair workload for housekeepers and more.
“After we helped Detroit’s gaming industry get back on its feet, business is booming, but the people who make the casinos run are still struggling,” said Nia Winston, UNITE HERE Local 24 President. “Our goal is to reach a fair deal, but unfortunately, we’re still far apart. If the companies cannot do better, then we are prepared to strike.”
In 2022, the Detroit casino industry generated $2.27 billion in gaming revenue from in-person and online gaming: the highest revenue ever in Detroit’s history. Revenues were even higher during the first eight months of 2023, putting the casinos on track for another record-breaking year. In 2022, the three Detroit casinos collectively reported $813 million more in total gaming revenues than in 2019, but total wages paid to workers represented by the Detroit Casino Council at the three Detroit casinos in 2022 were $34 million less. Despite the industry’s recovery, there are now approximately 1,500 fewer union casino jobs in Detroit than before the pandemic. Since 2020, Detroit casino workers have received only 3% raises, but inflation in Detroit has risen 20%.
On September 29, workers from all unionized work groups—including food and beverage, housekeeping, retail, slots and table games, engineering and more—at all three Detroit casinos voted in a 99% landslide to authorize the Detroit Casino Council negotiating committee to call a strike.
“I want what’s best for my family,” said Shataya Thompson, a valet cashier at MotorCity Casino and member of Teamsters Local 1038 who is a mother of two with a third child on the way. “We need good wages that keep up with inflation and our healthcare. We’ve been here since the doors reopened and have gone through so much. Now, all we ask is for a fair contract.”
“The company is offering us nickels and dimes, and they want us to pay more for healthcare,” said Terri Sykes, a dealer at Motor City with 24 years of service and President of UAW Local 7777. “As a two-time breast cancer survivor, I’m fighting to protect our health care. These companies are making more than ever, and it’s time they respect us for all the sacrifices we made to keep the doors open during the pandemic.”
###
The Detroit Casino Council (DCC) is UNITE HERE Local 24, UAW, Teamsters Local 1038, Operating Engineers Local 324, and the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters. These five unions represent most of the workers at the three casinos in Detroit: Hollywood Casino at Greektown, MGM Grand Detroit, and MotorCity Casino. Our members work in food and beverage, housekeeping, retail outlets, slots and table games, engineering and more. The DCC partner unions are part of International Unions that have experience representing gaming workers and winning great contracts throughout the United States including Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
https://www.detroitcasinocouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/dcc.png00bholmeshttps://www.detroitcasinocouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/dcc.pngbholmes2023-10-16 10:41:252023-10-17 09:55:18Report: Each Day of Strike at Detroit’s Three Casinos Risks $738,000 in Tax Revenues for City and State, and $3.4M in Revenue for Casino Operators
Among the workers calling for increased pay are Jamil Johnson, a 16-year employee at MGM Grand Detroit. The 52-year-old Detroit resident is a server at D.PRIME Steakhouse in the casino.
“We are the workers that made financial sacrifices and extended our contract so that the casinos could weather the storm during COVID,” Johnson said.
Johnson said he was diagnosed with COVID twice while working his job and spent three weeks in the hospital.
“The one thing though that kept me sane was the fact that our union negotiated for us substantial health care so that I would have the ability to take care of my family while being in hospital,” he said. “Unfortunately, the casinos are trying to take that away from us right now. We want economic justice and we want to maintain our current health care.”
https://www.detroitcasinocouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/dcc.png00bholmeshttps://www.detroitcasinocouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/dcc.pngbholmes2023-10-12 20:30:182023-10-15 20:29:24The Detroit News: Detroit casino workers prep for possible strike as contract expiration nears
“Our people are doing the jobs of two and three people,” said Nia Winston of Local 24. “And the casinos aren’t doing enough to fill the positions that they still have open because the wages are not competitive.”
That includes Shataya Thompson, who spoke through tears.
“I want what’s best for my family,” she said, saying she was thinking about her family when she was delivering remarks. “When I talk about my kids and my family, I do get emotional. It’s an emotional situation, but with the support of the DCC, and my coworkers, I can fight and keep going.”
Thompson, a wife and mother of two with a third child on the way works as a Motor City Casino Valet and cashier. She says maintaining health care is a top priority.
“Especially with going through the pandemic. Going through covid and everyday life. It’s people who have been here since the doors open, and have gone through so much, and they depend and they look for that healthcare.”
https://www.detroitcasinocouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/dcc.png00bholmeshttps://www.detroitcasinocouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/dcc.pngbholmes2023-10-12 20:25:562023-10-15 20:33:21Fox 2 Detroit: Strike looms for Detroit casinos as contract with workers ends Oct. 16
Casino Workers On Strike
We sacrificed our raises and our safety during COVID in order to keep the casinos open.
We thought we were making a deal: if we tightened our belts when times were hard for the companies during COVID, we would then share in the prosperity when business came back.
There was no deal. We now have to stand up and reset the relationship between us and the companies.
WE HAVE FIVE ISSUES:
Detroit casino workers need a raise AND a job that respects our health, our future and once again allows us to be proud to work at Detroit’s casinos.
Detroit Casino Workers Strike After Casinos Play Hardball on Wages, Healthcare
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—October 17, 2023
Contact: Meghan Cohorst, 239-503-1533, [email protected];
Annemarie Strassel, 312-617-0495, [email protected]
Workers made sacrifices to keep the industry afloat amidst the pandemic, call for their fair share as industry booms
DETROIT—Thousands of union casino workers are on strike today after months of full-table negotiations and meetings by department failed to result in a deal with the city’s three casinos. The workers, represented by the Detroit Casino Council (DCC), are seeking contract improvements after years of pandemic hardship, but casino management remains unwilling to deliver a fair contract for workers.
The union worked all night to prepare revised proposals in the hopes of averting a strike. The companies came back with a final proposal late Tuesday morning that the unions rejected based on five core concerns that the companies’ offer failed to meet, including protecting healthcare, winning job security/technology language that already exists in other casino markets, improving the value of retirement where there has been no increase in eight years, reducing the high workloads that have resulted from 1500 fewer jobs post pandemic, and securing significant wage increases to make up for the ones workers sacrificed during the pandemic.
The strike has a wall-to-wall impact on operations at the MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino, and Hollywood Casino at Greektown, involving 3,700 workers employed in positions throughout the properties including dealers, cleaning staff, food and beverage workers, valets, engineers and more.
“Making the decision to strike is never easy, but it’s past time for the workers who keep Detroit’s casinos running to get their fair share,” said Nia Winston, President of UNITE HERE Local 24, the union of hospitality workers in Detroit. “The city’s big three casino operators are earning more than ever, and we’re prepared to stay out on strike until we get what we deserve.”
“The company is offering us nickels and dimes, and they want us to pay more for healthcare,” says Terri Sykes, a dealer at MotorCity Casino with 24 years of service and President of UAW Local 7777. “As a two-time breast cancer survivor, I’m fighting to protect our health care. These companies are making more than ever, and it’s time they respect us for all the sacrifices we made to keep the doors open during the pandemic.”
“I’m a mother of two and will welcome my third child by the end of the year. I’m willing to go on strike to fight for what my family and I need,” said Shataya Thompson, a valet cashier at MotorCity Casino and member of Teamsters Local 1038. “We need a fair contract that guarantees good wages that keep up with inflation and also protects our healthcare.”
“There are 1,500 fewer people working in Detroit casinos, but there is the same amount of work to do. I can’t always take a lunch break or enjoy my hard-earned vacation time,” said Milledge McCaster, a 14-year Lead Engineer at Hollywood Casino at Greektown and member of Operating Engineers Local 324. “During the pandemic, we made sacrifices to help the industry, but now that they are making more money than ever, they’ve forgotten that.”
“We are fighting from Detroit to Vegas, from Biloxi to Pennsylvania ,to raise wages and standards for casino workers,” said Gwen Mills, Secretary-Treasurer of UNITE HERE International Union, the union of North American hospitality workers. “Hospitality workers overall across the US and Canada kept the doors open during the pandemic, risking their health and forgoing raises. Now they are striking in Detroit, Los Angeles and Vancouver, along with hundreds of thousands of other workers from other industries, demanding a share in the prosperity that the hospitality industry is currently experiencing.”
Detroit’s casino workers sacrificed raises and shouldered heavier workloads so the industry could recover from the pandemic. In September 2020, workers agreed to a three-year contract extension with minimal wage increases to help the industry get back on its feet. Since then, Detroit casino workers have received only 3% raises, but inflation in Detroit has risen 20%.
In contrast, industry gaming revenues have now surpassed pre-pandemic levels to reach a new record high. 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 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.
According to a report released by the DCC on Monday, each day of a strike could put approximately $738,000 in city and state tax revenues and $3.4 million in casino operator revenues at risk. For the City of Detroit, this wagering tax is a critical source of revenue used to fund job creation, public safety, economic development, and youth development programs. In 2022, the wagering tax was the City’s second highest revenue source, even surpassing property taxes.
###
The Detroit Casino Council (DCC) is UNITE HERE Local 24, the UAW, Teamsters Local 1038, Operating Engineers Local 324, and the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters. These five unions represent most of the workers at the three casinos in Detroit: Hollywood Casino at Greektown, MGM Grand Detroit, and MotorCity Casino. Our members work in food and beverage, housekeeping, retail outlets, slots and table games, engineering and more. The DCC partner unions are part of International Unions that have experience representing gaming workers and winning great contracts throughout the United States, including in Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
Report: Each Day of Strike at Detroit’s Three Casinos Risks $738,000 in Tax Revenues for City and State, and $3.4M in Revenue for Casino Operators
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 16, 2023
Annemarie Strassel, 312-617-0495, [email protected] or
Meghan Cohorst, 239-503-1533, [email protected]
Hours Before Contract Expires, Billion-Dollar Casinos Continue to Play Hardball on Worker Wages and Healthcare
Detroit’s Casino Workers Voted by 99% to Authorize a Strike
DETROIT—Unionized casino workers in Detroit are seeking contract improvements after years of pandemic hardship. However, just hours before contracts are set to expire casino management is unwilling to deliver a fair contract for workers. In a report released today, the Detroit Casino Council (DCC) estimates that, if workers are forced to strike at MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino, and Hollywood Casino at Greektown, it could put at risk approximately $738,000 in city and state tax revenues and $3.4 million in casino operator revenues per day. At-risk revenue includes:
Read the full report at https://unitehere.org/dcc-strike-impact-report/
For the City of Detroit, the wagering tax is a critical source of revenue used to fund job creation, public safety, economic development, and youth development programs. In 2022, the wagering tax was the City’s second highest revenue source, even surpassing property taxes.
The DCC has spent more than 160 hours in full-table negotiations and has held dozens of subcommittee meetings by department since the summer with a goal of reaching a deal. Still, workers and management remain far apart on wages, healthcare, retirement security, technology language, a fair workload for housekeepers and more.
“After we helped Detroit’s gaming industry get back on its feet, business is booming, but the people who make the casinos run are still struggling,” said Nia Winston, UNITE HERE Local 24 President. “Our goal is to reach a fair deal, but unfortunately, we’re still far apart. If the companies cannot do better, then we are prepared to strike.”
In 2022, the Detroit casino industry generated $2.27 billion in gaming revenue from in-person and online gaming: the highest revenue ever in Detroit’s history. Revenues were even higher during the first eight months of 2023, putting the casinos on track for another record-breaking year. In 2022, the three Detroit casinos collectively reported $813 million more in total gaming revenues than in 2019, but total wages paid to workers represented by the Detroit Casino Council at the three Detroit casinos in 2022 were $34 million less. Despite the industry’s recovery, there are now approximately 1,500 fewer union casino jobs in Detroit than before the pandemic. Since 2020, Detroit casino workers have received only 3% raises, but inflation in Detroit has risen 20%.
On September 29, workers from all unionized work groups—including food and beverage, housekeeping, retail, slots and table games, engineering and more—at all three Detroit casinos voted in a 99% landslide to authorize the Detroit Casino Council negotiating committee to call a strike.
“I want what’s best for my family,” said Shataya Thompson, a valet cashier at MotorCity Casino and member of Teamsters Local 1038 who is a mother of two with a third child on the way. “We need good wages that keep up with inflation and our healthcare. We’ve been here since the doors reopened and have gone through so much. Now, all we ask is for a fair contract.”
“The company is offering us nickels and dimes, and they want us to pay more for healthcare,” said Terri Sykes, a dealer at Motor City with 24 years of service and President of UAW Local 7777. “As a two-time breast cancer survivor, I’m fighting to protect our health care. These companies are making more than ever, and it’s time they respect us for all the sacrifices we made to keep the doors open during the pandemic.”
###
The Detroit Casino Council (DCC) is UNITE HERE Local 24, UAW, Teamsters Local 1038, Operating Engineers Local 324, and the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters. These five unions represent most of the workers at the three casinos in Detroit: Hollywood Casino at Greektown, MGM Grand Detroit, and MotorCity Casino. Our members work in food and beverage, housekeeping, retail outlets, slots and table games, engineering and more. The DCC partner unions are part of International Unions that have experience representing gaming workers and winning great contracts throughout the United States including Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
The Detroit News: Detroit casino workers prep for possible strike as contract expiration nears
Among the workers calling for increased pay are Jamil Johnson, a 16-year employee at MGM Grand Detroit. The 52-year-old Detroit resident is a server at D.PRIME Steakhouse in the casino.
“We are the workers that made financial sacrifices and extended our contract so that the casinos could weather the storm during COVID,” Johnson said.
Johnson said he was diagnosed with COVID twice while working his job and spent three weeks in the hospital.
“The one thing though that kept me sane was the fact that our union negotiated for us substantial health care so that I would have the ability to take care of my family while being in hospital,” he said. “Unfortunately, the casinos are trying to take that away from us right now. We want economic justice and we want to maintain our current health care.”
Full story found here.
Fox 2 Detroit: Strike looms for Detroit casinos as contract with workers ends Oct. 16
“Our people are doing the jobs of two and three people,” said Nia Winston of Local 24. “And the casinos aren’t doing enough to fill the positions that they still have open because the wages are not competitive.”
That includes Shataya Thompson, who spoke through tears.
“I want what’s best for my family,” she said, saying she was thinking about her family when she was delivering remarks. “When I talk about my kids and my family, I do get emotional. It’s an emotional situation, but with the support of the DCC, and my coworkers, I can fight and keep going.”
Thompson, a wife and mother of two with a third child on the way works as a Motor City Casino Valet and cashier. She says maintaining health care is a top priority.
“Especially with going through the pandemic. Going through covid and everyday life. It’s people who have been here since the doors open, and have gone through so much, and they depend and they look for that healthcare.”
Full story found here.