NSW: Casino operations continue as normal despite staff strike

AAP General News (Australia)
04-15-2000
NSW: Casino operations continue as normal despite staff strike

SYDNEY, April 15 AAP - Star City Casino said its operations have not been affected
despite 2,000 of its staff walking off the job early today.

The Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union (LHMU) members went on strike
at 4am (AEST) today, staging protests outside the facility.

Casino delegate Stephen Clark said staff were angry that management had tried to remove
existing conditions in negotiations over a pay agreement.

A Casino spokeswoman said it was business as usual today despite the strike.

"We're operating as we would normally operate at this time on any Saturday morning," she said.

"We have some people doing some overtime and we've brought a small number of casual staff in."

She said the strike had no major impact, although LHMU assistant national secraetry
Tim Ferrari said today the casino's services had been significantly reduced.

He said about 600 workers who would normally have started their shift at 4am had turned
up to strike, with more expected throughout the day.

Mr Ferrari said members would meet again on Wednesday to discuss whether Casino management
would revise its 8.75 per cent pay offer over three years.

Staff were asking for 15 per cent over two years.

"The meeting ... will consider whether there's any need for further industrial action
over the Easter weekend," he said.

The Casino spokeswoman said they had written to the union 10 days ago advising them
to come back to the negotiating table but received no response apart from a note acknowledging
receipt of the letter.

"The ball's in their court," she said.

"We're waiting for the union to come back to us now, we're willing to continue all
the negotiation processes."

Workers are expected to return to work at 4am tomorrow.

AAP sal/as

KEYWORD: CASINO

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