Star Casino Brisbane staff join UWU, consider stop-work action

In the latest headache for the embattled casino giant, workers are joining a union over what they say has been years of low pay and ongoing job uncertainty.

Star Casino at Queen's Wharf in Brisbane. Picture: John Gass

Star Entertainment’s Brisbane workforce is mobilising to seek union support for stop-work action amid seething anger over pay inequality and poor management.

In the latest headache for the embattled casino giant, workers at its flagship Queen’s Wharf development are joining the United Workers’ Union to fight what they say has been years of low pay in Brisbane and ongoing uncertainty about their jobs.

One senior gaming employ­ee, speaking on the condition of anonymity because they are not authorised to comment, said about 60 key staff were turning to UWU – the union of Premier Steven Miles – to help lay the foundation for future protected action amid a stalemate with management over pay increases.

Such action, while not imminent, could further destabilise the ASX-listed company.

The fury centres around pay inequality between workers at Queensland and NSW arms of the casino empire and higher remuneration for new hires.

The senior gaming staffer said their equivalent role at the Star’s Pyrmont property – its flagship before Queen’s Wharf opened last month – was paid thousands of dollars more.

They said management promised pay would increase when Treasury Casino made way for Queen’s Wharf and Star Brisbane became the company’s jewel. However, the worker said that verbal agreement was broken two weeks ago when employees on a Microsoft Teams call were told new chief executive Steve McCann ordered that no pay increases would occur.

It came days before the company’s financial troubles were revealed that led to it tapping investors, the Queensland and NSW governments for support.

Star Casino at Queen's Wharf in Brisbane. Picture: John Gass

Gaming workers were incensed at the decision, claiming it was another broken promise, and considered calling in sick to ruin the opening night of trading at Queen’s Wharf.

Only a heartfelt speech by Star’s new Brisbane chief executive Daniel Finch prompted the staff to attend work, one employee said.

However, effective moves by Star’s security and food and beverage workers in threatening to walk off the job has now prompted about 60 gaming staff to join UWU with a view of taking action against Star.

United Workers’ Union casinos director Andrew Jones called on governments and regulators to ensure thousands of jobs are kept safe.

“The union has also been representing a number of workers within the Star’s Brisbane operations who face pay differentials when compared to new starters and casino workers in other states,” he said.

“United Workers Union is working with these members to resolve the issue with Star.”

Mr Jones indicated Star’s future would need to be resolved for UWU members to “then be in their best position to advance the interests of hard-working Star casino workers who deserve to be paid fairly”.

Any move by gaming employees to stop work would likely prevent the casino from operating.

“We feel like we’ve been lied to,” one gaming worker said.

“Star doesn’t seem to negotiate fairly or ethically, they only act when they’re forced.”

A spokeswoman for Star ­Entertainment did not directly address the underpayment claims, but referred to previous ASX statements about the company’s financial status.

“The Star is continuing to work with various stakeholders and advisers in respect of its ­financial position,” Friday’s ­notice said.

Mr Miles said taxpayers should receive “every single cent” of tax revenue promised by Star Entertainment, and expected that 1400 Queenslanders reliant on Queen’s Wharf would keep their jobs.

Treasurer Cameron Dick said there was no development on a possible deal with the Queensland government to offer Star a financial lifeline.

“This company has a lot of issues that it needs to work through (with regulators, its banks and financiers),” he said.