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At City Hall, Casino Workers Call for “Detroit Strikers Bill of Rights” to Ensure Health and Safety of Picketers as Temperatures Drop

MEDIA ADVISORY for November 7, 2023 at 10:00am
Contact: Annemarie Strassel at 312-617-0495

At City Hall, Casino Workers Call for “Detroit Strikers Bill of Rights” to Ensure Health and Safety of Picketers as Temperatures Drop
Workers applaud city leaders for their support of striking casino workers seeking a fair contract

WHAT: Striking Detroit casino workers to join Detroit City Council proceedings to thank Councilors for their support and testify in favor of measures that ensure strikers’ health and safety as the strike enters its 4th week

WHEN: Tuesday, November 7, 10:00am

WHO: Striking Detroit casino workers—dealers, cleaning staff, food and beverage workers, valets, engineers and more—who staff Hollywood at Greektown Casino, MGM Grand Detroit, and MotorCity Casino. Workers are members of the five unions that comprise the Detroit Casino Council (DCC): UNITE HERE Local 24, United Auto Workers Local 7777, Teamsters Local 1038, Operating Engineers Local 324, and the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters.

WHERE: City Council Chambers (Coleman A. Young Municipal Center), 2 Woodward Ave #1340, Detroit, MI 48226

VISUALS: Striking workers wearing blue union coalition shirts and cold weather gear

INTERVIEWS: Strikers and union officials are available for interviews. Please contact to coordinate.

WHY: As Detroit casino workers head into their fourth week on strike against Detroit’s profitable gaming industry, workers are calling for a “Detroit Strikers Bill of Rights” to protect the health and safety of people forced to walk the picket lines. At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, workers will share their stories and present a “Detroit Strikers Bill of Rights” with provisions designed to keep protestors safe, such as the right to move safely and the right to take measures to stay warm.

Detroit casino workers are exercising their legal right to strike. With daylight saving time over, days growing shorter and nights colder, employers should be working constructively towards a strong agreement. Recently, strikers have received essential items from the community, such as food, diapers, warm winter gear, and warming devices. Notably, supporters have been dropping off firewood and small propane heaters since temperatures have dropped.

On Tuesday, Oct. 17, unionized casino workers at MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino, and Hollywood Casino at Greektown launched a wall-to-wall strike affecting 3700 casino workers, including dealers, cleaning staff, food and beverage workers, valets, engineers, and more. Workers have been forced on strike to protect their healthcare and improve wages that are not keeping up with the cost of living, along with improved job security and fair workloads. The Detroit City Council publicly pledged their support of striking casino workers, passing a resolution in support on Oct. 24.

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The Detroit Casino Council (DCC) is UNITE HERE Local 24, the UAW, Teamsters Local 1038, Operating Engineers Local 324, and the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters. These five unions represent most of the workers at the three casinos in Detroit: Hollywood Casino at Greektown, MGM Grand Detroit, and MotorCity Casino. Our members work in food and beverage, housekeeping, retail outlets, slots and table games, engineering and more. The DCC partner unions are part of International Unions that have experience representing gaming workers and winning great contracts throughout the United States, including in Las Vegas and Atlantic City.

City Council Pres. Mary Sheffield Joins Casino Unions to Launch “#StrikeCity Donation Drive,” Supporting Strikers at Detroit’s Casinos, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—November 6, 2023
Contact: Annemarie Strassel at 312-617-0495 or [email protected]

City Council Pres. Mary Sheffield Joins Casino Unions to Launch “#StrikeCity Donation Drive,” Supporting Strikers at Detroit’s Casinos, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan
Community support grows as workers continue fight for fair contract

DETROIT—Unions representing Detroit’s striking casino workers are launching a new donation program to support workers on strike at MotorCity Casino, MGM Grand Detroit, Hollywood Casino at Greektown and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM). As the weather gets colder and strikes stretch longer, unions and allies are coming together to ensure that strikers have everything they need while on the picket line. City Council President Mary Sheffield joined strikers at the rally today launching the donation drive.

Unions and allies are calling on the public to support strikers by donating warm winter clothes, non-perishable food items, diapers, baby formula, feminine hygiene products, cleaning supplies and other essentials. Drop off locations are located at Hollywood Casino at Greektown/BCBSM (Lafayette between St. Antoine & Beaubien), MGM Grand Detroit (3rd Ave & Bagley), and MotorCity Casino (Spruce & Brooklyn).

“The women and men on strike—braving the cold every day to improve jobs in this city—are Detroit’s heroes,” said Mary Sheffield, President of the Detroit City Council. “These companies underestimate your toughness, but that’s a big mistake. Today, I call on everyone in this community to join me in supporting Detroit’s heroes in their fight for respect and a decent way of life. I am behind you no matter how long it takes.”

“Shame on these companies. They’re sitting on billions of dollars and they hope to starve us out, but in Detroit we do right by each other,” said Allison Grubba, a bartender at MotorCity Casino with UNITE HERE Local 24 and member of the Detroit Casino Council Negotiating Committee. “No matter how long these strikes take, we will take care of each other, whether that’s supporting strikers in Detroit’s casinos or our union family at Blue Cross/Blue Shield.”

On October 17, Detroit casino workers launched a wall-to-wall strike affecting 3,700 casino workers who are members of the five unions comprising the Detroit Casino Council. Detroit’s casino workers sacrificed raises and shouldered heavier workloads so the industry could recover from the pandemic. Now that the industry has rebounded, workers are fighting for a fair contract that protects their health care and includes decent raises, fair workloads and other protections.

On September 13, BCBSM workers represented by the UAW launched a strike affecting 1,000 workers who provide customer service for the healthcare giant. The physical proximity of the Hollywood Casino at Greektown and BCBSM picket lines have led to deeper solidarity between the unions on both sides of the street, which is why the DCC has launched a donation drive to encompass both strikes.

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The Detroit Casino Council (DCC) is UNITE HERE Local 24, the UAW, Teamsters Local 1038, Operating Engineers Local 324, and the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters. These five unions represent most of the workers at the three casinos in Detroit: Hollywood Casino at Greektown, MGM Grand Detroit, and MotorCity Casino. Our members work in food and beverage, housekeeping, retail outlets, slots and table games, engineering and more. The DCC partner unions are part of International Unions that have experience representing gaming workers and winning great contracts throughout the United States, including in Las Vegas and Atlantic City.

300+ Striking Casino Workers Head to Michigan State Capitol for Support

MEDIA ADVISORY for October 31, 2023
Contact: Meghan Cohorst, [email protected], 239-503-1533

300+ Striking Casino Workers Head to Michigan State Capitol for Support
After launching a citywide casino strike Oct. 17, Detroit’s casino workers call on state leaders to support their fight and all working people in Michigan

What: Striking casino workers will be talking to members of Michigan’s state legislature about the strike and other important legislation impacting all working people in Michigan.

When: Tuesday, October 31. Buses will depart from Detroit at 8:00am. Lobbying will take place at the Michigan State Capitol between 10:00am and 4:00pm.

Who: 300+ striking Detroit casino workers—dealers, cleaning staff, food and beverage workers, valets, engineers and more—who are members of the five unions that comprise the Detroit Casino Council (DCC): UNITE HERE Local 24, United Auto Workers Local 7777, Teamsters Local 1038, Operating Engineers Local 324, and the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters.

Where: Buses leave for Lansing from UNITE HERE Union Hall (300 River Place Dr., Detroit). Lobbying at Michigan State Capitol, 100 N. Capitol Ave, Lansing.

Visuals: Hundreds of striking workers wearing blue union shirts and caps.

Interviews: Members of the DCC worker negotiating committee and union officials are available for interviews. Please contact to coordinate.

Why:
Detroit casino strikers are headed to Lansing to speak to Michigan leaders about their fight for a fair contract and important legislation impacting all working people in Michigan.

On Tuesday, Oct. 17, unionized casino workers at MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino and Hollywood Casino at Greektown launched a wall-to-wall strike affecting 3700 casino workers across a broad range of classifications such as dealers, cleaning staff, food and beverage workers, valets, engineers and more. Workers are on strike to protect their healthcare and win decent raises, fair workloads, and more job security. This is the first casino strike in Detroit history.

Detroit’s casino workers sacrificed raises and shouldered heavier workloads so the industry could recover from the pandemic. In September 2020, workers agreed to a three-year contract extension with minimal wage increases to help the industry get back on its feet. Since then, Detroit casino workers have received only 3% raises, but inflation in Detroit has risen 20%. In contrast, industry gaming revenues have now surpassed pre-pandemic levels to reach a new record high. In 2022, the Detroit casino industry generated $2.27 billion in gaming revenue and is on track for another record-breaking year in 2023.

Just last week, workers won the backing of Detroit city leaders after the Detroit City Council unanimously passed a resolution in support of the strike.

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The Detroit Casino Council (DCC) is UNITE HERE Local 24, the UAW, Teamsters Local 1038, Operating Engineers Local 324, and the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters. These five unions represent most of the workers at the three casinos in Detroit: Hollywood Casino at Greektown, MGM Grand Detroit, and MotorCity Casino. Our members work in food and beverage, housekeeping, retail outlets, slots and table games, engineering and more. The DCC partner unions are part of International Unions that have experience representing gaming workers and winning great contracts throughout the United States, including in Las Vegas and Atlantic City.

Striking Detroit Casino Workers Celebrate Lions Game Day, Telling Customers: “Real Lions Fans Don’t Cross Picket Lines!”

MEDIA ADVISORY for October 30, 2023
Contact: Sheila King, [email protected], 313-899-0552

Striking Detroit Casino Workers Celebrate Lions Game Day, Telling Customers: “Real Lions Fans Don’t Cross Picket Lines!”

WHAT: Striking casino workers tailgating on the picket line and appealing to Detroit sports fans for support

WHEN: Monday, October 30 – 3:00-5:00pm

WHO: Hundreds of striking Detroit casino workers—dealers, cleaning staff, food and beverage workers, valets, engineers and more—who are members of the five unions that comprise the Detroit Casino Council (DCC): UNITE HERE Local 24, United Auto Workers Local 7777, Teamsters Local 1038, Operating Engineers Local 324, and the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters.

WHERE: Picket lines at MGM Grand Detroit (1777 3rd Ave.), Hollywood Casino at Greektown (1211 Chrysler Dr.) and MotorCity (2901 Grand River Ave.)

VISUALS: BBQ tailgating; strikers in Lions’ gear; signs that read “On Strike,” “Don’t Gamble with Our Future,” and “Strike City”

INTERVIEWS: Strikers available for interviews. Please contact to coordinate.

WHY: As sports fans flood into downtown Detroit today for the Lions game, Detroit’s striking casino workers are making a simple request: Please don’t play, eat, drink, meet, or sleep at the MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino, or Hollywood Casino at Greektown!

On Tuesday, Oct. 17, unionized casino workers at MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino and Hollywood Casino at Greektown launched a wall-to-wall strike affecting 3700 casino workers across a broad range of classifications such as dealers, cleaning staff, food and beverage workers, valets, engineers and more. This is the first casino strike in Detroit history.

Detroit’s casino workers sacrificed raises and shouldered heavier workloads so the industry could recover from the pandemic. In September 2020, workers agreed to a three-year contract extension with minimal wage increases to help the industry get back on its feet. Since then, Detroit casino workers have received only 3% raises, but inflation in Detroit has risen 20%. In contrast, industry gaming revenues have now surpassed pre-pandemic levels to reach a new record high. In 2022, the Detroit casino industry generated $2.27 billion in gaming revenue and is on track for another record-breaking year in 2023.

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The Detroit Casino Council (DCC) is UNITE HERE Local 24, the UAW, Teamsters Local 1038, Operating Engineers Local 324, and the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters. These five unions represent most of the workers at the three casinos in Detroit: Hollywood Casino at Greektown, MGM Grand Detroit, and MotorCity Casino. Our members work in food and beverage, housekeeping, retail outlets, slots and table games, engineering and more. The DCC partner unions are part of International Unions that have experience representing gaming workers and winning great contracts throughout the United States, including in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. For more information, visit https://www.detroitcasinocouncil.org.

Hundreds of Striking Casino Workers Head to City Hall for Support

MEDIA ADVISORY for October 24, 2023 at 10:00am
Contact: Annemarie Strassel at 312-617-0495

Hundreds of Striking Casino Workers Head to City Hall for Support
After launching a citywide casino strike less than one week ago, casino workers call on city leaders to hold Detroit casinos to their promise of creating good jobs.

WHAT: Striking casino workers giving public testimony to members of Detroit’s City Council and calling for a statement of support for the strike.

WHEN: Tuesday, October 24 – 10:00am.

WHO: Hundreds of striking Detroit casino workers—dealers, cleaning staff, food and beverage workers, valets, engineers and more—who are members of the five unions that comprise the Detroit Casino Council (DCC): UNITE HERE Local 24, United Auto Workers Local 7777, Teamsters Local 1038, Operating Engineers Local 324, and the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters.

WHERE: City Council Chambers (Coleman A. Young Municipal Center), 2 Woodward Ave #1340, Detroit, MI 48226 and overflow action in front of Spirt of Detroit monument

VISUALS: Hundreds of striking workers holding strike signs

INTERVIEWS: Members of the DCC worker negotiating committee and union officials are available for interviews. Please contact to coordinate.

WHY: When Detroit’s casinos were first approved in 1998, the casino owners signed agreements with the City of Detroit to ensure good jobs in Detroit’s casino industry. Now casino workers are on strike to protect their healthcare and win decent raises, fair workloads, and more job security. This week, they are appealing to city leaders to issue a statement of support for their efforts to hold casino owners to their promise to Detroit.

On Tuesday, Oct. 17, unionized casino workers at MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino and Hollywood Casino at Greektown launched a wall-to-wall strike affecting 3700 casino workers across a broad range of classifications such as dealers, cleaning staff, food and beverage workers, valets, engineers and more. This is the first casino strike in Detroit history.

Detroit’s casino workers sacrificed raises and shouldered heavier workloads so the industry could recover from the pandemic. In September 2020, workers agreed to a three-year contract extension with minimal wage increases to help the industry get back on its feet. Since then, Detroit casino workers have received only 3% raises, but inflation in Detroit has risen 20%. In contrast, industry gaming revenues have now surpassed pre-pandemic levels to reach a new record high. In 2022, the Detroit casino industry generated $2.27 billion in gaming revenue and is on track for another record-breaking year in 2023.

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The Detroit Casino Council (DCC) is UNITE HERE Local 24, the UAW, Teamsters Local 1038, Operating Engineers Local 324, and the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters. These five unions represent most of the workers at the three casinos in Detroit: Hollywood Casino at Greektown, MGM Grand Detroit, and MotorCity Casino. Our members work in food and beverage, housekeeping, retail outlets, slots and table games, engineering and more. The DCC partner unions are part of International Unions that have experience representing gaming workers and winning great contracts throughout the United States, including in Las Vegas and Atlantic City.