Detroit’s casino workers have been on strike for almost a month, and are now also calling for those in support to boycott iGaming and online casino platforms, too. These apps and sites include: FanDuel, ESPN Bet, BetMGM and Hollywood iCasino.
The strike was voted on by five local unions in late September, began in mid-October, has received support from the Detroit City Council, saw 3,700 workers make their way to the State Capitol and has run largely parallel to the planned Las Vegas Strip hospitality strike. The union in Las Vegas, however, reached an agreement with all of the ‘Big Three’ casino operators (MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment and Wynn Resorts) by November 10.
As of last week, donation bins were provided for the employees from Detroit’s three casinos by the City Council President, but no negotiation has been reached. The Detroit Casino Council, representing employees of MGM Grand Detroit, Hollywood Casino at Greektown and MotorCity casinos, has now begun a digital campaign to discourage people from gaming online in the casinos’ associated apps.
Nia Winston, president of Unite Here Local 24, wrote in a statement, “Online sports betting and online casino platforms like FanDuel, ESPN Bet and BetMGM are critical sources of revenue for the companies that operate Detroit's three casinos
“Workers have been outside the physical locations 24/7 since going out on strike three weeks ago to win a fair contract. Now, they're calling on the public not to cross their virtual picket line either and to boycott these apps until the strike is settled.”
United Here is made up of workers from United Auto Workers, Teamster Local 1038, Operating Engineers Local 32 and the Michigan Regional Council of Carpeters in addition to the casino employees.
