Casino employee strike in Detroit?

[Ed J Burns]

Has anyone heard any news about a strike by casino employees in Detroit? Rumor has it - they want more money? With MGM just opening and MotorCity due to open November 1st - my guess is they are trying 'scare' tactics like the Big 3 did??? Thanks for any information.

[Steve Bourie]

Re: Casino Employee strike

Below is from Crain's Detroit Business on October 11, 2007.

Casino unions authorize strike
By Robert Ankeny

Labor unions representing more than 6,000 workers at Detroit’s three casinos could go on strike if agreements on new contracts are not in place by Tuesday, the date on which current pacts expire.

Talks continue between the casinos and the Detroit Casino Council that voted Wednesday to authorize a walkout if bargaining fails.

For the full story, go to: crainsdetroit.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071011/REG/71011010/1009/breaking/-/-/casino-unions-authorize-strike

[Steve Bourie]

Re: Casino Employee strike

More on the strike possibility from the Detroit News:

Bargainers for the 6,100 workers at Detroit's three casinos are continuing contract negotiations today at the Pontchartrain Hotel. A union official said Monday that MotorCity Casino has been targeted as the focus of the talks.

The labor agreement covering workers at MotorCity, MGM Grand Detroit and Greektown expires at 11:59 p.m. today. Negotiations are focused on securing wage and benefit increases for workers represented by five unions, which banded together at the beginning of the decade to form the Detroit Casino Council.

During contract negotiations in 2003, casino workers won a number of wage and health-care guarantees. That agreement secured wage increases of at least $4,000 per worker over the life of the contract, and $2,000 lump-sum seniority bonuses for some workers.

For full story, go to - detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071016/UPDATE/710160433