Other issues include strengthening retirement and securing protections for workers impacted by the implementation of new technology.

Workers have been negotiating since early September, with a focus on securing wage increases that could make Detroit’s casino jobs family-sustaining jobs once again. Since the pandemic, the two companies have spent heavily on stock buybacks to benefit their Wall Street shareholders, with MGM spending over $5.60 billion and PENN spending $750 million so far. In 2022, both MGM Resorts International and Hollywood at Greektown’s parent company, PENN Entertainment, reported higher revenues and profits in the US than pre-pandemic. Last month, MGM Grand Detroit’s parent company, MGM Resorts International, reported an “all-time record” for company-wide net revenues in the second quarter.

So far in 2023, reports from January through August show that revenues are even higher than last year, on track for another record-breaking year. In 2022, the Detroit casino industry generated $2.27 billion in gaming revenue through in-person and online gaming, the highest ever in the history of the industry. Workers are hoping to win contract gains that would bring Detroit casino jobs back in line with the standard of good jobs that were promised to hospitality workers when voters approved legalizing casino gaming in 1996 and the City Council later authorized the three casinos. Following the end of COVID restrictions and the legalization of online gaming, industry gaming revenues have now surpassed pre-pandemic levels to a new record high, but Detroit’s casino workers are getting left behind.

In September 2020, the DCC agreed to a 3-year contract extension with minimal wage increases to help their employers get back on their feet. Workers flooded the Teamsters Hall today between 7:00am-9:00pm to cast their ballots with the results revealed shortly after the polls closed and ballots were counted.Īfter the COVID shutdowns, Detroit casino workers sacrificed raises and shouldered heavier workloads so the industry could recover. Detroit Casino Workers Vote 99% “YES” to Authorize a Strike As they negotiate for higher wages, workers vote overwhelmingly in favor of strike authorization at all three Detroit casinosĭetroit-This evening at 09:40pm, the Detroit Casino Council announced that members from MGM Grand Detroit, Hollywood at Greektown and MotorCity casinos - voted 99% “yes” to authorize a strike, if deemed necessary by the worker negotiating committee.

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