Strike action this weekend could cost Australian operator Crown as much as AU$4m a day, it has been claimed.
On Monday casino workers notified Crown that strike action is to begin on Friday and continue into Saturday, coinciding with Caulfield Cup Day, which is traditionally one of the operator’s busiest days of the year.
The Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union estimates that the industrial action may cost Crown up to AU$4.3m in revenue and $1m in profits a day. The state government, meanwhile, could be set to lose AU$400,000 in tax revenue per day.
In a ballot held last week, casino union members voted in favour of strike action by a margin of 97 per cent, having rejected Crown’s 3.75 per cent wage increase offer. Following the strike ballot, Crown increased its offer by 0.25 per cent over three years.
"This Friday, Crown staff will begin strike action," said Jess Walsh, state secretary of the LHMU. "Strike action will continue into Caulfield Cup Day on Saturday, with further action likely next week.
"Crown staff are demanding recognition and respect for being the best casino workers in the country. Crown Melbourne dwarfs other Australian casinos by every measure. It needs to attract and retain the best staff and now it has an opportunity to do just that - by creating the best conditions at work.
"Crown Melbourne just made a $350m profit, thanks to the hard work of Crown staff. Now, Crown has an opportunity to make a pay offer that shows proper recognition for the people that have made this casino so successful."
Walsh described strike action as a "last resort" and called on Crown to put forward a fair offer on pay to avoid the walkout.
