Casino pay row deepens
WORKERS at the Wrest Point and Launceston casinos have voted to take industrial action.
The United Voice decision comes after a month-long process overseen by the Australian Electoral Commission.
In April the Fair Work Commission granted the employees the right to take industrial action after a breakdown in negotiations with the Federal Group on a new enterprise agreement.
In a statement yesterday, United Voice said casino members had overwhelmingly voted to take protected industrial action.
“Tasmania’s casinos will now enter an extended period of instability,” the statement said.
“Casino members do not take this action lightly but they feel that they have no other choice. They are incredibly angry at the disrespectful way the Federal Group and the Farrell family have treated them by offering an insulting wage offer.”
Federal Group, which spent an unknown amount protecting its poker machine monopoly during the state election campaign, offered the 656 staff a 1.8 per cent pay rise per year for three years.
Federal executive general manager corporate and regulatory affairs Daniel Hanna said staff at Wrest Point and Country Club were already paid well above the award.
“Enterprise agreement negotiations have been undertaken in good faith and the current offer includes pay increases in line with the Tasmanian economy,” he said.
“Importantly, Wrest Point and Country Club have also committed to retain all current penalty rates and public holiday rates which are above the hospitality award.
“Wrest Point and Country Club will continue to negotiate in good faith to reach an agreement.
“We respect the right of employees to participate in protected industrial action and if this occurs, we will work to ensure that this will not impact our customers.”
Federal parent company Mulawa Holdings recorded a fall in profit from $20.3 million to $13.9 million in 2016-17.
Labor leader Rebecca White said the “paltry” Federal offer was not good enough.
“The cost of living is going up faster than the pay increase the Federal Group is offering its employees,” she said.
United Voice says casino workers have not had a wage increase since July 2016.