Detroit casino workers support strike option

Detroit — More than 1,300 union employees from Detroit’s three casinos voted Monday night to go on strike if their wage, health care and benefit demands aren’t met.

Members of Local 24 of the hospitality union voted overwhelmingly to give their leaders the power to call a strike in order to reach a contract settlement.

However, this does not mean that workers will immediately walk off their jobs at MotorCity, Greektown and MGM Grand casinos. Employees will remain at their posts with casino management and union leaders set to return to negotiations on Nov. 9.

According to their Facebook page, more than 98 percent of those voting approved of calling a strike. The final tally was 1,361 yes, 16 no and 1 not applicable.

A call was left with union leadership Tuesday asking for comment on the vote and negotiations.

Local 24 is the union for more than 7,500 casino, hotel, airport and food service workers in Metro Detroit.

TGreenwood@detroitnews.com

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