NSW: Star City casino staff walk off the job

AAP General News (Australia)
04-15-2000
NSW: Star City casino staff walk off the job

SYDNEY, April 15 AAP - Star City croupiers, security guards and bar attendants walked
off the job early today in protest at working conditions and safety.

The staff had previously voted to walk off the job from 4am today until 4am tomorrow
morning, effectively shutting down casino operations.

But Star City chief executive officer David Banks today played down the strike, saying
it would be business as usual at the casino over the weekend.

"We believe any potential disruptions this weekend will be minimal and will not significantly
impact our operations," Mr Banks said.

Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers' Union (LMHU) casino delegate Stephen
Clark said staff were angry that management had tried to remove existing conditions in
negotiations over a pay agreement.

He said staff wanted management to address concerns about passive smoking at croupier
tables, the installation of metal detectors and abuse by patrons.

"We have instances of dealers being abused and other staff being mugged on the way
to the carpark - our safety should be paramount," he said.

"There's also cases of drunken customers abusing staff, but they are not thrown out."

LMHU assistant national secretary Tim Ferrari said negotiations over the pay claim
had continued for three months but management had walked out of talks last week.

Management had offered staff a pay increase of 8.75 per cent over three years, but
staff were asking for 15 per cent over two years.

AAP km/wjf

KEYWORD: CASINO DAYLEAD

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