Representatives for Detroit’s three casinos and members of the Detroit Casino Council said that a significant progress has been made over the past week towards reaching a new labor deal, which is to replace the one that expired on October 16. It took months for the two parties to report any important progress in their negotiations.
Talks between the gambling venues and casino workers started in August. The two involved parties said that this week has been the most positive one since the beginning of their discussions. Currently, there are three casinos operating in Detroit – MotorCity Casino, Greektown Casino, and MGM Grant Detroit.
City officials have been watching negotiations closely as Detroit’s gambling venues are an important draw for tourists, a major employer, and among the city’s biggest tax payers.
The Detroit Casino Council said in a statement that an important progress has been made after four days of meetings over the past week. The council also revealed that the two parties have advanced significantly in negotiating health care, known to be the biggest sticking point. Other provisions in what would be the new contract between casino workers and casinos have also been discussed and “tentative agreements” have been reached regarding those.
Last week, casino employees rejected a proposal introduced by the city’s three gambling venues. The Detroit Casino Council represents more than 6,000 members of the UNITE HERE Local 24, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 324, UAW Local 7777, and Teamsters Local 372 labor unions.
The three casinos, too, were positive about the progress that has been made. Marc Whitefield, a spokesman for all three gambling venues, said that the latest proposal presented by unions could be regarded as “a positive step” towards resolution of all pending issues and the eventual signing of a new agreement.
Mr. Whitefield further noted that the casinos have been working with health-insurance carriers in order to study health care programs. The spokesman explained that programs of this kind would help the gambling venues control costs without having to change their current health-care plans.
Negotiations between the two parties are slated to be renewed on December 1. The gambling venues will now have to review the newest proposal for a contract presented by the city’s labor unions.
