Motor City Workers Ratify New Agreement

DETROIT, Oct. 31, 2003 -- Workers at Motor City Casino voted today to ratify a new four-year labor agreement by a 72% majority. The new contract, which follows the economic pattern established at MGM Grand Casino, includes pay raises, enhanced retirement security, no increases in health insurance premiums and guarantees of new job opportunities at a permanent Motor City hotel and expanded casino in Detroit.

"The ratified agreements at Motor City and MGM Grand reflect the contribution of casino workers to the gaming industry in Detroit," said UAW Secretary-Treasurer Elizabeth Bunn, chief negotiator for the Detroit Casino Council. "The casinos came to Detroit with the promise of good-paying jobs for our community. These contracts, building on our previous agreements, help turn that promise into reality."

Negotiations are continuing at Greektown Casino, Bunn said, "and we hope to reach a new agreement there in the very near future."

More than 2,100 Motor City workers are members of the Detroit Casino Council, including dealers, slot technicians, environmental services staff, food and beverage staff, valet and warehouse workers, and building engineers. Participating unions of the Council at Motor City are the UAW, Hotel Employees Restaurant Employees (HERE), Teamsters, and Operating Engineers.

Like the MGM Grand contract, the new agreement will deliver substantial wage gains to Motor City workers through a combination of pay raises and lump sum payments. Depending on his or her job classification, a typical Motor City worker will gain between $4,880 and $7,380 in wage increases over the life of the contract.

The new agreement also includes an improved retirement security plan for Motor City workers, requiring an employer contribution of between 50 to 70 cents per hour, depending on seniority, for all workers with more than one year of service. The new contract maintains quality health care coverage for Motor City workers, with no increase in premiums or co-pays for office visits or generic drugs.

In addition, similar to the MGM Grand contract, Motor City has agreed to recognize the Detroit Casino Council as the bargaining representative for hotel worker classifications if a new hotel and gaming facility is opened during the term of this agreement. The Council and Motor City agreed to bargain a competitive wage and benefit package for these new workers, and to submit to final and binding interest arbitration if the parties cannot reach agreement.

Motor City agreed that if the company leases or contracts to restaurant/entertainment enterprises within the new facilities, work at the first five such restaurants will be performed by bargaining unit members.