CASINO UNIONS LAUNCH “#STRIKECITY DONATION DRIVE” TO SUPPORT STRIKERS IN NEED AT DETROIT’S CASINOS, BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD OF MICHIGAN

DETROIT—The unions representing Detroit’s striking casino workers are launching a new donation program to support workers on strike at MotorCity Casino, MGM Grand Detroit, Hollywood Casino at Greektown and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM). As the weather gets colder and strikes stretch longer, unions and allies are coming together to ensure that strikers can stay warm and feed their families.

Unions and allies are calling on the public to support strikers by donating warm winter clothes, non-perishable food items, diapers, baby formula, feminine hygiene products, cleaning supplies and other essentials. Drop of locations are located at Hollywood Casino at Greektown/BCBSM (Lafayette between St. Antoine & Beaubien), MGM Grand Detroit (3rd Ave & Bagley), and MotorCity Casino (Spruce & Brooklyn).

On October 17, Detroit casino workers launched a wall-to-wall strike affecting 3,700 casino workers who are members of the five unions comprising the Detroit Casino Council. Detroit’s casino workers sacrificed raises and shouldered heavier workloads so the industry could recover from the pandemic. Now that the industry has rebounded, workers are fighting for a fair contract that protects their health care and includes decent raises, fair workloads and other protections.

On September 13, BCBSM workers represented by the UAW launched a strike affecting 1,000 workers who provide customer service for the healthcare giant. The physical proximity of the Hollywood Casino at Greektown and BCBSM picket lines have led to deeper solidarity between the unions on both sides of the street, which is why the DCC has launched a donation drive to encompass both strikes.

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The Detroit Casino Council (DCC) is UNITE HERE Local 24, the UAW, Teamsters Local 1038, Operating Engineers Local 324, and the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters. These five unions represent most of the workers at the three casinos in Detroit: Hollywood Casino at Greektown, MGM Grand Detroit, and MotorCity Casino. Our members work in food and beverage, housekeeping, retail outlets, slots and table games, engineering and more. The DCC partner unions are part of International Unions that have experience representing gaming workers and winning great contracts throughout the United States, including in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Learn more at https://www.detroitcasinocouncil.org/