MGM Casino Workers Reject Tentative Contract
DETROIT (WWJ) - It's back to the bargaining table at the MGM Grand-Detroit Casino, after workers voted to reject a tentative contract agreement.
Earlier this week, agreements were reached between the Detroit Casino Council and Greektown Casino, as well as MotorCity Casino-Hotel. But union members have "overwhelmingly rejected" the offer at the MGM-Grand Casino.
WWJ spoke with Shawn Ellis, the spokesman for Teamsters Local 372, one of the unions involved.
"The terms and conditions were reviewed during three meetings and the membership voted to reject the contract," said Ellis.
The contract would have raised employee health care costs and provided a raise of 30 cents an hour in the fourth year of the agreement. Ellis said they will "regroup" their efforts and prepare for another round of negotiations.
"The next step is reaching out to the mediator, letting them know what the vote was, and to go back to the bargaining table," he said.
Ellis said there's discussion about informational picketing that will take place outside of the casino this weekend.
"Although we do have strike authorization, we certainly want to get with the federal mediator first and have some discussion there. But certainly, to let the community know that there is not a contract with MGM."
Ellis said the rejection by MGM workers won't impact the deals made earlier this week with workers at MotorCity and Greektown casinos.
