United Workers Union to rally at Crown casino as negotiations intensify for new pay deal
The threat of a booze-less Spring Racing Carnival is looming over Crown, as hundreds of workers prepare to rally at the casino today to threaten industrial action.
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Hundreds of Crown workers are expected to rally at the casino today as they threaten industrial action that could see them stop serving alcohol during the Spring Racing Carnival.
The new United Workers Union is plotting to hold the first strike at Crown in 16 years amid a fight with the casino over concerns from staff about insecure work.
The industrial action, if approved, could see union members refusing to serve drinks during one of the casino’s peak periods.
A Crown spokesman said the casino had made “considerably progress” in negotiations with the union and expected to finalise a new workplace agreement “in the neat future”.
Union national secretary Tim Kennedy said 70 per cent of Crown workers were in part-time or casual work, meaning staff were “living pay cheque to pay cheque”.
“Crown is the best performing casino in Australia, earning millions of dollars in profit on the back of their workers,” he said.
“Staff believe that as one of the largest and most profitable employers in Australia, Crown should be able to offer a full time job to anyone who wants one.”
Crown’s spokesman said 76 per cent of staff were employed on a permanent full-time or part-time basis, and that the casino was an “employer of choice” which offered flexibility to workers and strived to provide additional hours to those who wanted to work more.
Kiara Hill, a casual food and beverage attendant at Crown, called on the casino to listen to workers “because we’re here and we’re not going away until we get a fair deal”.
“We work the graveyards shifts, we go home with blisters and burns, all because we want to make this place the best it can be. But every time we go in to the bargaining room they tell us that we aren’t important enough,” she said.
“We put our blood, sweat and tears into this business. I’ll be damned if I’ll work another week, another day, another year without being given what I deserve.”
In a statement, Crown’s spokesman said the casino had been the 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,” he said.
“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.”
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But Mr Kennedy said too many workers were not able to plan their lives and were getting second jobs or “even having to put off having kids”.
“How can you describe having 70 per cent of your workforce in insecure work as world class?”
The United Workers Union will officially combine United Voice and the National Union of Workers from next month.