MGM Grand Detroit union workers approve new contract, ending over month-long strike
DETROIT, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) - Union members with the Detroit Casino Council voted to ratify a new contract with MGM Grand Detroit after 47 days on strike, according to UNITE HERE Local 24.
The unions are to stop striking effective immediately.
The five-year agreement covering 1,700 employees includes the largest wage increases ever for MGM Grand Detroit workers, according to the union.
Some of the gains of the agreement include:
- $3/hour raise (average of 18% wage increase in year one), $5/hour over span of five-year contract
- Protected healthcare with no increased costs to employees or plan changes
- Reduced workloads
- First-ever technology protections
- Paid Juneteenth Holiday
- Option to receive bonus up front or in year two of contract (Full-time employees $2,000, Part-time employees $1,000). If bonus taken in year two, workers would also receive 401k match.
"I am so happy. This has been an emotional rollercoaster, but I am so proud of the work that we've done, I'm so proud of everybody sticking together," said Alicia Weaver, MGM Grand Casino worker for 24 years. "It's historic. I mean we've got dollars in the table for the first time in 24 years. I've been working there the whole time and it's always been just cents on the table so now for them to come to the table with real money that's going to change lives, I mean I'm just really excited about it especially with the healthcare being put in place and locked in for the next five years."
This settlement with MGM Grand comes after all three Detroit casinos hit the picket lines on October 17th.
Union workers ratified their agreements with Hollywood Casino at Greektown and MotorCity Casino last month.