Crown Casino faces New Year’s Eve ‘chaos’ as hundreds of workers strike

A major strike is set to hit Melbourne’s Crown Casino during peak hours of New Year’s Eve, as hundreds of workers protest against pay conditions.

About 500 workers are expected to walk off the job from 10pm to 2am, including casino workers, croupiers, bar staff and security.

The strike is the first of its kind for the Melbourne casino staff and was prompted by a new pay system proposed by Crown that would introduce a two-teir wage system.

A United Workers Union spokesperson said those spending New Year’s Eve at the casino were “set to be thrown into chaos after Crown failed to reach agreement with its workforce”.

Crown’s proposed two-teir wage system would see new-hire level one casino workers paid $28.84 per hour after July 1, with any continuing workers on the same level paid about $6 more per hour, at $34.22, according to UWU.

“That is more than $10,600 a year less for identical work. At higher levels, the pay cut grows to as much as 32 per cent,” said UWU casino director Andrew Jones.

“If you are coming to the casino tonight, you should expect delays in service. You should expect disruption.”

Crown said they would hire a temporary workforce to support the casino on Wednesday evening and were “disappointed” by the industrial action.

A spokesperson said their staff were currently paid 40 per cent above industry standards, with some earning as high as 60 per cent above the industry rate.

“These rates would continue to increase under Crown’s most recent offer, and we are committed to reaching a resolution,” they said.

UWU said multiple meetings had taken place with Crown management since May.

“The ball is firmly in Crown’s court,” Mr Jones said.

“If the company comes back to the table with a fair proposal, this dispute does not need to escalate.”