Daily London
As many as 500 Crown Casino employees are poised to walk off the job from 10pm for four hours, after negotiations over a new enterprise agreement broke down.
The United Workers Union (UWU) says Crown has failed to abandon pay cuts which would result in new hires paid between 16 and 32 per cent less than existing workers performing the same role.
Negotiations over the casino’s main enterprise agreement have been ongoing since May, but despite three days of talks on December 22, 29 and 30, the company refused to withdraw its push for a two-tier wage system, the UWU said.
New casino workers currently earn more than $34 an hour, but that wage would drop to less than $29 under Crown’s proposal, according to the UWU.
Across a year of work, that equates to more than $10,600 less for an identical role.
“The company is pushing a model that encourages cheaper new hires over retaining skilled and experienced staff, and our members are not having it.” UWU Casinos Director Andrew Jones said.
“The ball is firmly in Crown’s court. If the company comes back to the table with a fair proposal, this dispute does not need to escalate.”
Crown says its workers earn well above industry standards, with wages continuing to rise.
“Crown Melbourne team members earn an average of around 40 per cent above industry standards, and as high as 60 per cent above award base rates for some roles – these rates would continue to increase under Crown’s most recent offer,” a Crown spokesperson said.
“We are disappointed by the proposed action and we are doing all we can to minimise any potential impacts on our guests.”
Crown said extra staff will be working tonight as the venue tries to minimise the impact on celebrations.
