On Saturday, union workers for the MGM Grand Detroit voted overwhelmingly to ratify the new contract agreed to by the Detroit Casino Council this week.
With the vote concluded, the MGM Grand Detroit employees officially end their strike after 47 days of picketing.
A new five-year deal will cover 1,700 union employees, ending the collective casino workers’ strike that originally began on Oct. 17 and included members from MotorCity Casino and Hollywood Casino at Greektown as well. Those two unions ended their strike back on Nov. 19.
What’s included in the MGM Grand Detroit deal
The new contract is a five-year agreement and includes the largest wage increases ever for MGM Grand Detroit workers.
Once the contract is fully ratified, workers immediately receive a $3 an hour raise that will grow to $5 an hour over the life of the contract.
Highlights of the contract include:
- A $3 per hour raise to start, which grows to a $5 per hour raise over the life of the contract
- No increased health care costs to employees or plan changes
- A reduction in workloads for housekeeping and other classifications
- Technology protections that include required training for new jobs created by technology advancements
- Severance pay and health care for workers laid off by new technology advancements
- Option for a bonus up front on the second year of the contract
- 401k employer match program up to $1,000 in year two
- Paid Juneteenth holiday
The contract MGM Grand Detroit employees negotiated isn’t too different from the one they voted “no” to a few weeks ago, outside of the bonus option in the second year.
What’s being said about the new contract
Here’s a collection of comments and statements about the new deal being agreed to, thus ending the strike.
“Since welcoming my son into the world, securing my family’s health care benefits was the most important thing to me,” said Gabriel Robert Hernandez, a valet at MGM Grand Detroit and member of Teamsters Local 1038. “We sacrificed a lot during the pandemic, but we fought for and ultimately won a contract that secures our health care and provides significantly improved wages.”
“Both my son and I have been on strike together, so for me the fight to protect our healthcare and win better wages was always about something bigger for my family and the next generation,” said Alicia Weaver, a guest room attendant for 24 years at MGM Grand Detroit and member of UNITE HERE Local 24. “Together – with the rest of our MGM family who stood with us on that picket line in the rain and frigid temperatures – we made history, and I’m proud of what we accomplished by taking a stand together.”
“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,” said Patrick Nichols, a dealer at MGM Grand Detroit and member of UAW Local 7777.
“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,” said Matt Buckley, President and COO, Midwest Group, MGM Resorts International. “We’re excited to welcome our team back and continue providing our guests the entertainment experiences for which MGM Grand Detroit is known.”
With a new deal in place, MGM Grand Detroit union workers will begin to return to work on Monday.
