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Casino strike threat for Lions weekend

Disgruntled Dunedin Casino workers may strike again next weekend, disrupting business on one of the busiest weekends of the year.

By Allison Rudd
June 13, 2005

Thousands of visitors are expected in the city for the Otago-Lions rugby match next Saturday night and many will find their way to the casino.

About 60 members of the Service and Food Workers Union picketed on Saturday night between 10pm and midnight, and again for two hours yesterday afternoon.

They are seeking a blanket $2 an hour wage rise and say they are frustrated contract negotiations which started in February have stalled.

Asked if strike action would be repeated next weekend, union organiser Michelle Thomas said it "would be a good weekend to get our message across".

Staff member Guy Bancroft said "he could not deny strike action may happen".

That has casino general manager Rod Woolley worried.

The casino employed between 160 and 170 staff, of whom between 60 and 70 were union members, he said yesterday when contacted.

Non-union staff and managers were called in to staff gaming tables on Saturday night, but more staff would be needed next weekend if the casino was at its capacity of 400 patrons.

"The union did not have the strength to really embarrass us last night Saturday, but who knows what could happen by next weekend.

"We would like to have the casino at full strength and we would like to provide a full service."

Dunedin Casino workers such as dealers, inspectors, food and beverage staff and waiters were among the lowest paid in the country, Ms Thomas said. Starting rates here were between $10.50 and $15, around $3-$4 an hour less than at Auckland's Sky City Casino.

The best deal offered by the management was a pay rise of 77c an hour, or $1 within 15 months, she said.

Mr Bancroft, a gaming inspector, took his young daughters Brittany, 5, and Holly, 3, to yesterday's picket.

He said he knew some people would criticise him for that decision.

"I did it because I am a family man and I want to be able to earn a proper living to support my family. We the staff are not just doing this for ourselves. This is a serious issue which needs to be highlighted."

The union was hoping to hear back from the management with another offer, Ms Thomas said. "The ball is in their court now."

However, Mr Woolley said he was waiting to hear back from the union on the offer of 77c an hour. The offer also included an extra week's holiday a year for staff with five years' service or more, and additional sick leave entitlements.

"I guess their answer to that offer is no, seeing they have gone on strike."

Management would "listen to any offers on the table", he said.

"We need to sit down and talk ... Let's hope we have a common sense solution before next weekend."

Source: Otago Daily Times