Hundreds of staff at Melbourne's Crown casino are poised to bring their pay dispute to a head with a dramatic strike set to disrupt the venue's New Year's Eve celebrations.
Protected Action to Hit Peak Celebrations
The industrial action, which is legally protected, will see employees including bar staff, croupiers, and security personnel walk off the job from 10pm on December 31st until 2am on January 1st. A further four-hour stoppage is also planned for the daytime of Thursday, December 28th.
The strike is a direct response to Crown's proposed new enterprise agreement, which workers resoundingly rejected. 89% of eligible staff voted against the deal following negotiations that began in May. The core grievance is a proposed two-tier wage system that would see new hires paid significantly less for identical work.
The Heart of the Dispute: A Two-Tier Pay System
Under Crown's latest offer, new employees would start on an hourly rate of $28.84. This compares to the current rate of $34.22 for existing staff in the same roles. The United Workers Union (UWU) calculates this would lock in annual pay cuts of between $10,600 and $32,000 for anyone hired after July 1st next year.
"Workers are feeling frustrated and angry," said Andrew Jones, the UWU's Casinos Director. "One would assume when [most] of your workforce votes 'no' to a proposed agreement that the company would listen." He warned the plan also poses a significant threat to the job security of current employees.
Crown's Response and Potential Fallout
A Crown Melbourne spokesperson expressed disappointment at the strike plans. They defended the company's pay rates, stating team members earn an average of around 40% above industry standards, with some roles 60% above the award base. They insisted their offer included future pay increases and a commitment to resolution.
The company shifted focus to the potential impact on the public, stating: "Let's be clear – the people most impacted by this strike won't be Crown management, it will be Victorian families and children who are trying to enjoy a free and fun night out on New Year's Eve."
Andrew Jones placed the onus firmly on management, stating, "The ball is firmly in Crown's court." He added that if the company returned to negotiations with a fair proposal, the dispute need not escalate further. Crown has confirmed talks will resume in January.
