News Updates
MGM Grand Detroit Workers Ratify New Agreement
November 4, 2011(DETROIT) – Casino workers at MGM Grand Detroit voted tonight to ratify a new, four-year agreement – the final of three casino contacts to be approved. The valet, front desk, phone operators, warehouse, grounds and general workers are represented by Teamsters Local 372 in Detroit, a member of the Detroit Casino Council.
With this final ratification, the MGM Grand Detroit Teamsters joined the members at Greektown Casino and MotorCity Casino Hotel who overwhelmingly approved their contracts on Oct 24 and 25, respectively.
“After all of the hard work in obtaining a fair agreement, and it was extremely difficult, I’m pleased that the membership backed us up with the yes vote today,” said Taryn D. Warr, a five-year employee of MGM Grand Detroit that works as a Front Desk Representative and was a member of negotiating team. “These Teamsters work hard for the pay and benefits they receive in providing the best possible service to the Casino guests, and I’m just proud to have been part of the process with helping them have a voice at the table.”
Each of the three agreements includes ratification bonuses with a 2 percent wage increase in year four. Also, health care plans were maintained, however now there is an increase cost-sharing by members represented by the four unions in the Detroit Casino Council.
“The dedicated and passionate work that the bargaining team and the entire Detroit Casino Council put into getting the best possible contract is to be commended,” said Veronica Sawyer, Teamsters International Representative and chief spokesperson for the Local 372 bargaining committee. “I’m just so proud of the council membership who gave this excellent team the leverage it needed to get this contract. Now that the agreement has been ratified, it’s time to show customers in this region that Detroit is the Midwest destination for excellent gaming and service.”
The Detroit Casino Council represents nearly 6,000 union members at three casinos in Detroit. Still to vote are workers at MotorCity and MGM Grand Detroit casinos.
Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents 1.4 million men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. For more information, go to www.teamster.org.
Detroit's MotorCity Casino Workers Approve Contract
October 25, 2011Unionized workers at Detroit's MotorCity Casino Hotel voted overwhelmingly today to authorize a new four-year contract that increases health care costs for workers and provides a raise of 30 cents per hour in the last year, a labor spokesman said.
Detroit MotorCity Casino Workers Ratify New Agreement
October 25, 2011(DETROIT) – MotorCity Casino workers in Detroit, Mich. voted to ratify a new, four-year agreement tonight. The valets, front desk staff, phone operators, warehouse, grounds and general workers are represented by Teamsters Local 372 in Detroit, a member of the Detroit Casino Council.
Nearly 70 percent of the workers who voted approved the new contract. The MotorCity Casino Hotel Teamsters joined their union brothers and sisters at Greektown Casino who ratified a four-year agreement on Wednesday, October 24, with 74 percent voting for the new contract. Union workers at MGM Grand Detroit will vote on their tentative agreement on Thursday, October 27.
“As a trustee of the local and a member of the bargaining team for Teamsters Local 372, I’m elated with the ‘yes’ vote,” said member Mark Williams, a valet that has worked for nine years at MotorCity Casino Hotel. “Our team worked hard on seeking out the concerns of the members, bringing those concerns to the table in a tough set of negotiations, and then through the democratic process, receiving a positive reaction to that hard work. It’s time to get back to work making MotorCity Casino Hotel one of the best venues to visit in the Midwest.”
“This was a tough set of contract talks when you factor in the difficulty of our region, but our bargaining team worked hard with our membership and at the negotiation table to get the best possible agreement for our members,” said Dave DeLong, President of Teamsters Local 372. “Tonight’s vote shows that our members appreciate the hard work that this bargaining team put into this agreement.”
The Detroit Casino Council represents nearly 6,000 union members at three casinos in Detroit.
Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents 1.4 million men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. For more information, go to www.teamster.org.
Detroit Casino Workers Ratify New Agreement
October 24, 2011(DETROIT) – Casino workers voted by a 3-to-1 margin to ratify a new, four-year agreement with Greektown Casino in Detroit, Mich. tonight. The valet, front desk, phone operators, warehouse, grounds and general workers are represented by Teamsters Local 372 in Detroit, a member of the Detroit Casino Council.
“I’m extremely happy with the supportive vote today for all the hard work that this bargaining committee went through to get the best possible contract for our membership,” said Tavara McCree, an 11-year employee of the Greektown Casino and member of the Local 372 bargaining committee. “The vote proves that the process works.”
“I’m proud of our bargaining team and the Teamsters working at Greektown Casino who gave us the leverage we needed to bargain a fair and equitable contract in very difficult economic times,” said Veronica Sawyer, Teamsters International Representative and chief spokesperson for the Local 372 bargaining committee. “Our members turned out in huge numbers and voted by a three to one margin to support this bargaining team. Tonight’s vote count is a victory for casino workers at Greektown.”
The Detroit Casino Council represents nearly 6,000 union members at three casinos in Detroit. Still to vote are workers at MotorCity and MGM Grand Detroit casinos.
Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents 1.4 million men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. For more information, go to www.teamster.org.
Hoffa: Teamsters Support Atlantic City Workers in Fight for Fair Contracts
September 23, 2011(WASHINGTON) – The following is the official statement from Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa on the union’s support of UNITE HERE and Atlantic City workers in their contract negotiations:
“The 1.4 million Teamsters in North America fully support workers in Atlantic City's casinos as they fight to stem the tide of corporate take-aways that is sweeping this country.
“When casino companies come to state legislatures looking to expand into new markets, UNITE HERE and the Teamsters are there to tell the story of quality jobs in this unionized industry. Now, however, those same companies are showing a different color. In contract negotiations with workers in Atlantic City, these companies are trying to destroy health and pension plans that have taken years to build.
“The companies' proposals would turn middle class gaming industry jobs into poverty-level jobs. Taking this industry's single greatest selling point and turning it into a liability isn't what this country or this industry need. We encourage Caesars Entertainment, Trump Resorts and the rest of the companies in Atlantic City to settle fair contracts now.
“The Teamsters fully support UNITE HERE and Atlantic City's workers in this fight.”
Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information.
Local 17 Organizes Convention Center Workers in the Mile-High City
November 19, 2010In June, 25 furniture movers at the Colorado Convention Center unanimously voted in favor of Teamster representation.
After this victory, Local 17’s organizing momentum continued.
Only three months after the furniture movers voted 25-0 to become Teamsters, the five groundskeepers, who are also at the Colorado Convention Center, unanimously voted in favor of joining the Teamsters in October. The furniture movers and the groundskeepers are now represented by the Denver-based Local 17.
"Wages are an issue, but it is not the overriding issue. The groundskeepers and furniture movers want the protection of a Teamster contract. They want a grievance procedure that the employer would have never given them, otherwise,” said Michael Simeone, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 17. “We are proud and honored that these hardworking employees chose Teamsters Local 17 to represent them.
“The state-of-the-art Colorado Convention Center is located in Denver, where the Rocky Mountains serve as a majestic backdrop,” Simeone said “With all of its amenities, the Colorado Convention Center is one of the most dynamic venues in which major corporations hold innumerable conferences and other major events in that region of the country each year.”
The 25 furniture movers are responsible for providing the professional look that the companies need to make their products and services in the exhibit booths visibly appealing, which promotes business growth and helps them become more profitable.
The five groundskeepers are in charge of the maintenance and beautiful landscaping of all the areas surrounding the convention center.
“This is a new group for Local 17, and these workers want to exemplify what it means to be a part of the strongest union in the world,” Simeone said. “Having Teamsters working there at the Colorado Convention Center, businesses and the community are being served by the cream of the crop.”
Workers at SMG Vote Unanimously to Join Local 17
June 3, 2010Workers at SMG in Denver, Colorado secured a strong voice in the workplace today when they became the newest members of Local 17. The trade show employees voted unanimously, 20-0, to join the union on May 21. But the final vote count became official today after the employer’s challenge was dismissed.
“This victory was about workers’ rights and freedoms,” said Ed Bagwell, Recording Secretary and Business Agent for Local 17 in Denver, Colorado. “It shows the power of the Teamsters to organize in these tough times.”
The workers were motivated to join a union, but had trouble finding the right fit.
“We’ve been trying to get a union into our shop for awhile,” said Elmo Simmons a two-year employee at SMG. “We approached a few other unions and they blew us off. That all changed when we met with Local 17. Everything that Ed Bagwell promised he and the union would do – they did. We’re ecstatic to be Teamsters and are looking forward to a long, productive partnership.”
2010 Auto Show Looks To Have Smoother Ride
July 14, 2009The 2010 North American International Auto Show in January should experience fewer bumps than this year's event, organizers said Thursday.
A few carmakers recently absent from the annual show could return; Michigan Hall, the basement of Cobo Center, will have an expanded track for environmentally friendly vehicles; and one private party -- created to sell high-end supercars -- will expand, members of the Detroit Auto Dealers Association said.
As a result, show visitors will see more cars during the Jan. 16-23 public days for the same price they paid in 2009: $12.
Tickets for the Charity Preview, held before the show's public opening, will be reduced to $300 a person or $500 for a couple -- an acknowledgement of the down economy and an attempt to boost attendance, which was down this year for the black-tie event by about half. For the past few years, tickets cost $400 each.
Event organizers said Thursday the Teamsters union has agreed to rework contract terms to lower costs for automakers that display vehicles on the show floor. Alhough details of the revised terms are not yet set, lower hourly wages and a reduced number of required workers assigned to jobs are being looked at to curtail costs. NAIAS officials said they are working with other unions in an attempt to reduce their rates, too.
The number of brands will be at least the same as this year, 51, and maybe more, said Rod Alberts, NAIAS executive director.
Additionally, the EcoXperience, the 75,000-square-foot driving track that was in Michigan Hall at this year's show, will be expanded, Alberts said.
The committee overseeing the 2010 show hopes to convince Ferrari to return. And members plan to go to Memphis in coming weeks to try to entice Nissan Motor Co. to show its vehicles, as well.
"We are talking to Ferrari and things look positive," said Doug Fox, senior co-chairman of the NAIAS.
Nissan has not committed to attend the Detroit show, but company representatives will speak with the committee. Ferrari might be coaxed into returning for 2010 because of an exclusive viewing, called the Gallery, afforded to big spenders. The private event is sponsored by American Express and included about 200 people last year, Fox said.
"American Express has asked us to expand the event, and it could double in size," he said. The event in January resulted in the sale of two Maybachs, one Lamborghini and one Fisker, Fox said.
Committee officials have planned exhibit space for Land Rover, as well as newcomers from China and Indian automaker Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.
Attributed by Detroit News
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