Thousands of Crown Melbourne workers are threatening to strike during the busiest time on the spring racing calendar unless they get a better deal on wages and conditions.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Union members at the casino and resort this week voted overwhelmingly to take protected strike action following four months of negotiations.
Workers are demanding the company agree to a fair wage bump for every year of the new agreement, increases in weekend and public holiday pay, fairer rosters for a better work-life balance and service-based progression.
However, both sides are in dispute over the number of workers permitted to take industrial action.
The United Workers Union said the ballot authorised all union members to strike, which means 3600 workers could walk off the job.
After initially questioning the figures and stating only 1700 workers will be allowed to take protected action, Crown has revised the number of eligible workers to about 3100.
Deb Lipscombe is a Crown employee of 28 years, more than half her life, and wants the company to treat its workers with dignity and respect during the cost-of-living crisis.
"It shouldn't cost me to go to work - with household bills going up, putting petrol in the car to get to work, paying for parking when I arrive," she said.
"We take care of the patrons and they expect us to do it for crumbs whilst they profit off of us."
The planned strike is set to start on Saturday, which coincides with the $2 million Victoria Derby Day and run to Monday, the eve of the Melbourne Cup.
Work stoppages will occur for four hours between 6pm and 10pm on Saturday, 10am to 2pm on Sunday and 6pm to 10pm on Monday.
The union's casinos director Dario Mujkic said the casino garnered more than $1.4 billion in revenue last financial year.
Crown Melbourne confirmed a $199 million net loss for the same financial year.
"Crown has so far not come to the table with an offer that keeps up with the cost of living," Mr Mujkic said.
"By voting to take action right at the start of the spring racing carnival this weekend, casino workers are telling Crown they're serious about getting a fair deal."
Crown chief executive Mike Volkert acknowledged and respected the right of his workforce to take protected industrial action but insisted patrons would not be impacted.
"Crown Melbourne has put contingencies in place to minimise impact on our operations and guest experience," he said.
"We have a long history of bargaining in good faith and will continue to do so in the hopes of reaching an agreement soon."
Australian Associated Press
