DETROIT (Michigan News Source) – Union members of the Detroit Casino Council successfully ratified a new agreement with the MGM Grand Detroit over the weekend ending a 47 day strike.  

“I am happy to announce that MGM employees ratified their contract tonight,” said Patrick Nichols, a dealer at MGM Grand Detroit and member of UAW Local 7777. “I am impressed by how all the unions and members worked together to win an excellent contract. I’m looking forward to going back to work.” 

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Upon ratifying the five-year agreement which covers 1700 employees – including the largest wage increase in MGM Grand Detroit worker history – the workers received an immediate $3 an hour raise in year one, and a $5 an hour total raise over the life of the contract according to the United Auto Workers union. 

MGM Grand Detroit also shared its enthusiasm with the union contract and how it would affect business. 

“We’re happy to announce that we have reached an agreement with our union team members and the latest contract has been ratified,” MGM said in a statement over the weekend. “This coming week, we plan to return to full operations.” 

By striking, MGM Grand Detroit workers have secured the following gains according to the UAW:

  • Winning the largest wage increases ever negotiated in the history of MGM Grand Detroit, including a $3/hr. raise up front (average 18% wage increase in Year One), $5/hr. over the life of the contract
  • Protecting the healthcare standard that Detroit casino unions have built over two decades with NO increased costs to employees or plan changes
  • Reducing workloads in housekeeping and other classifications that have resulted from 1500 fewer workers post-pandemic
  • Securing first-ever technology protections to guarantee advanced notification when new technology is introduced that impacts jobs, require training for new jobs created by technology, and provide health care and severance pay for workers who are laid off because of new technology
  • An option for a bonus up front or the 2nd year of the contract
  • First-ever 401K match option up to $1000
  • Paid Juneteenth Holiday

The ratification of the contract with MGM Grand Detroit comes after the settlement of contracts for the Hollywood Casino at Greektown and MotorCity Casino, who ratified their contracts ahead of Thanksgiving. All three Detroit casino properties launched a concentrated strike on Oct. 17, as the UAW was nearing the end of its historic six week Stand Up Strike, with the Big Three Automakers.