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The leader of local tourism is inviting Michigan casino-goers to Caesars Windsor after thousands of hospitality workers went on strike in Detroit earlier this week.
Gordon Orr, CEO of Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island, on Wednesday told the Star that gamers looking for a world-class experience “without having to cross a picket line” are welcome at Caesars Windsor.
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“The invitation (to American gamers) is out there,” Orr said. “They know the product is here. Of course, we want their casinos to be running and everyone to be gainfully employed, but in the interim, the invitation is certainly out there.”
On Tuesday afternoon, negotiations between three casinos — MotorCity Casino Hotel, MGM Grand, and Hollywood Casino at Greektown — and unions failed to reach an agreement by deadline, prompting 3,700 workers to walk off the job.
“U.S. visitors have always been an important part of our business and we welcome them to visit our property, either for the first time or for a return visit, to experience our world-class Caesars brand,” said Caesars Windsor’s manager of public relations and communications Susanne Tomkins in a written statement.
The Detroit Casino Council, representing casino workers across five unions, has been seeking improvements to wages and benefits in negotiations with casinos that started last month. The contract had been set to lapse at midnight on Tuesday but was extended until noon as talks continued.
The casino workers were under a three-year extension to a five-year contract.
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This is the first strike at the Detroit casinos since they opened in the late 1990s and 2000.
In 2020, the casino council agreed to a three per cent wage increase over three years to help the casinos during the COVID-19 pandemic and government-mandated shutdowns.
Casino workers are represented by five unions under the casino council: Unite Here, United Auto Workers, Teamsters, Operating Engineers, and the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters.
All three casinos remain open 24/7 and have posted updates to their respective websites.
“We intend to continue to operate our business during this time and will remain open this week and beyond,” read the online update from MGM Grand. “We are making every effort to ensure that our guests are not inconvenienced by this matter.”
As of Wednesday afternoon, MotorCity Casino Hotel’s website said high-limit table games are temporarily closed, as are the poker room and casino valet. Also temporarily closed are the D. Tour Spa, the Lacquer Gift Shop, the hotel valet and the radio bar. The hotel and other bars and restaurants are open.
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At Hollywood Casino at Greektown, valet services are temporarily closed, hours are limited at restaurants, and beverage service “may be impacted,” the website said.
MGM Grand’s casino and hotel valet parking is closed.
Upwards of 33 per cent of American tourists who visit Windsor-Essex are drawn by Caesars Windsor, Orr said.
“The fact that we run (Caesars) as a world-class facility with superior staff and quality service has really helped put us on the map,” he said.
“There will be the opportunity for those who don’t want to cross a picket line in Detroit to come over here and enjoy their gaming experience.”
tcampbell@postmedia.com
twitter.com/wstarcampbell
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