Crown casino faces NYE strike amid pay dispute
Hundreds of workers at Australia’s biggest casino will go on strike amid New Year’s celebrations to protest major pay cuts.
Workers will take protected industrial action after voting to reject proposals that would see new workers be paid between 16 per cent and 32 per cent less than existing workers for the same roles.
Employees from different operational teams, including bar staff, table game vendors and security, will be off duty from 10pm to 2am.
United Workers Union casino manager Andrew Jones said there would be significant delays in casino service.
Negotiations have been ongoing since May, with 89 per cent of eligible workers voting against Crown’s proposed master operating agreement.
“Workers are feeling frustrated and angry; we can assume that when (the majority of) your workforce votes ‘no’ on a proposed deal, the company will listen,” Mr Jones told AAP.
(James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)
Under the proposed agreement, newly hired casino employees would be paid $28.84 per hour, while existing employees would receive $34.22.
“The system sees workers doing the same job as their Crown counterparts take a pay cut of between $10,600 and $32,000 a year if they start working after July 1 next year,” Mr Jones said.
“This situation poses a serious threat to the job security of existing workers,” he said.
A spokesperson for Crown told AAP they were disappointed with the proposed action, adding that they were doing everything they could to minimize any potential impact on guests.
“Crown Melbourne team members earn on average 40 per cent above industry standards and as much as 60 per cent above base award rates for some roles, these rates will continue to rise under Crown’s latest proposal and we are committed to reaching a solution.”
“Let’s be clear – the people most affected by this strike will not be Crown Management, it will be Victorian families and children trying to have a free and fun night out on New Year’s Eve.”
Workers also plan to hold protected action on Thursday between 10am and 2pm, and more strikes are expected in the coming weeks.
“The ball is definitely in Crown’s court,” Mr Jones said.
“There is no need for this dispute to escalate if the company returns to the table with a fair offer.”
Crown Melbourne will remain at the bargaining table and continue negotiations, with the next meeting to be held in January.
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