Crown Casino workers reveal they struggle to make ends meet and many need second jobs to survive

It rakes in millions of dollars in revenue every year but Crown Casino staff with insecure positions are working second jobs and not having families to make end meet, according to a new report.

Crown Casino workers are working second jobs and in some cases forced to put off starting a family, as hundreds of employees struggle to make ends meet, according to a new report.

The state’s hospitality union United Voice has found up to 70 per cent of the Casino workforce are part-time or casual with hundreds of employees unable to make ends meet.

And 45 per cent of these have a second job or are seeking other employment to survive — but Crown has hit back at these figures, saying they are a strong employer and supporter of workers.

Melbourne Casino dealer Mary Sok, 28, says the situation is dire for many workers.

“It’s really hard to get a secure job at Crown. I’ve worked here for over nine years and I’m still on part-time,” she said.

“I’ve had to cut down on my social life with friends outside of work, and can’t even think about starting a family or getting a home loan at this point.

Mary Sok, 28, says she has worked part-time as a dealer at Crown for nine years and struggles not being full-time.

United Voice Victorian Secretary Ben Redford, said the casino was failing it’s promise to the state.

“Crown’s pitch to Victorian community has always been that it is a world class casino, but it treats staff like second-class citizens,” he said.

“These workers live pay cheque to pay cheque. They can’t plan their lives, they’re getting second jobs and even having to put off having kids.”

“How can you describe having 70 per cent of your workforce in insecure work as world-class? That’s almost twice the national figure, which was already among the highest in the OECD.”

The report released officially today surveyed 612 Crown staff from the 5000-strong workforce.

It comes amid an ongoing pay dispute as negotiations have dragged on for months.

Crown spokeswoman Natasha Stipanov said the casino prides itself on being a choice place of employment.

“Crown is currently bargaining with the United Voice union for a new enterprise agreement to replace the existing one,” she said.

“Approximately 83 per cent of our workforce are employed on a permanent full-time or part-time basis.

Crown Casino workers are struggling. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

“Like many other employers in the hospitality industry, we provide a flexible workplace which caters to thousands of staff who prefer to work on a part-time or casual basis as it gives them the flexibility to pursue other work, study or family opportunities.

“Where staff would like to work additional hours, depending on their availability and trading conditions we strive to provide them with the opportunity to increase their hours worked.

“Existing part-time and casual staff also have the opportunity to apply for many of the regularly advertised vacant full-time roles across the business.”

“Crown prides itself on being an employer of choice and has received numerous awards over the years, including Australian Employer of the Year in 2010, 2013 and 2015. Crown is proud to have over 7,400 people working at Crown Melbourne and over 8,500 apprentices and trainees have graduated from our purpose-built training college.”

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Reason MP Fiona Patten said the way employees are being treated is a concern.

“Some of the stories I have heard, such as people being on part time or causal for years on end, are a typical tactic from a big employer to reduce the amount of entitlements they have to pay for staff,” Ms Patten said.

“Crown and its associated companies make billions of dollars in profit — it’s not like they don’t have the money to pay employee entitlements. I bet the Crown CEO isn’t on an hourly rate and is getting full benefits while the person dealing the cards is still, after 5 years a casual.”

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