The Detroit Casino Council (DCC) has voted to ratify a labor agreement with MGM Grand Detroit, thereby ending a 47-day strike. Workers agreed to new contracts with two other Detroit area casinos two weeks ago.
October 17 began the strike from unionized casino and hospitality employees at MGM Grand Detroit, Hollywood Casino at Greektown and MotorCity Casino, with a view to achieving a cost-of-living adjustment in wages and protecting their healthcare benefits.
Patrick Nichols, a dealer at MGM Grand Detroit and member of UAW Local 7777, said, “I am happy to announce that MGM employees ratified their contract tonight. I am impressed by how all the unions and members worked together to win an excellent contract. I’m looking forward to going back to work.”
According to local reports, 1,700 MGM Grand Detroit employees have now won the highest wage increase the property has ever negotiated, including an immediate $3-an-hour raise and $5-an-hour total raises throughout the five-year contract’s span. This agreement shows an average 18% pay rise and also provides new bonus options as well as technology protections in addition to stable healthcare costs.
President and COO of the Midwest Group of MGM Resorts International, Matt Buckley, said, “We’re glad our DCC-represented employees voted tonight to ratify the 64-month contract and end the strike, allowing us to immediately resume full and normal operations at MGM Grand Detroit.
We’re excited to welcome our team back and continue providing our guests the entertainment experiences for which MGM Grand Detroit is known.”
While the strikes were ongoing, Detroit reported a 19.5% decrease (year-on-year) in casino revenue during the month of October. November’s revenue will also no doubt be affected, as the strikes took place throughout the entirety of that month, and also saw employees calling for a boycott of online casino games.
