Detroit casino workers have petitioned state lawmakers at the state capitol to support their ongoing strike, according to a WILX 10 New local report. More than 3,700 workers from the city’s three casinos have been on strike for the past three weeks.
Concerns over heavy workloads and lack of sufficient raises since the pandemic have led to casino employees hitting the picket lines and speaking out regarding their demands for improved pay and other benefits.
Other events leading to the strike involved failed talks between the workers’ unions and casino leadership and the inability to establish new contracts.
In addition to wage increases, union workers are asking for technology protections, retirement security and “other gains,” the Detroit Council said. The group is comprised of local unions that include Unite Here Local 24, Teamsters Local 1038, Operating Engineers Local 324 and the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters.
Workers claim that they are “dollars behind” in pay.
Officials from all three Detroit casinos have expressed a desire to “reach fair contracts,” with union workers, but have not commented on the union’s appeal to the state capitol. The specific matter of low pay has yet to be directly addressed by the city’s casinos.
However, MGM Grand Detroit recently maintained that the casino would stay open and remain operational during the strike.
The destination recently posted on its website, “We intend to continue to operate our business during this time and will remain open this week and beyond.
“We are making every effort to ensure that our guests are not inconvenienced by this matter.”
