More Info On MotorCity Casino's Hotel

Crain's Detroit Business has a story out in today's issue with a good rundown on the challenges that will face the three Detroit casinos as they open their hotels. Namely, they will have to create hundreds of thousands of hotel room nights of business each year, where none previously existed. (By my calculation, at full capacity they would have to create 438,000 room nights among the three hotels: 400 rooms per hotel multiplied by 365 room nights multiplied by three hotels).

Also interesting in the story is that the "excuse" for the MotorCity's delay in opening the hotel has now apparently been expanded beyond the delayed delivery of furniture to also include: (a) the state shutdown [of four hours] on October 1, 2007; and (b) the labor negotiations with the Detroit Casino Council.

Unions And MGM Grand Detroit Reach Tentative Contract Agreement

The Detroit Casino Council, a consortium of the four unions that represent workers at the three Detroit casinos, reached a tentative agreement with MGM Grand Detroit Casino on Thursday, leaving only Greektown Casino without an agreement with the Council.

The ratification vote of union members will occur on Monday, October 29, 2007.

MotorCity Union Contract Ratified

A new four year contract between the Detroit Casino Council and the MotorCity Casino was ratified by the member unions on Monday, October 22, 2007. Contract negotiations are continuing with MGM Grand Detroit and Greektown Casinos.

Opening of MotorCity Casino Hotel Delayed Until November 28, 2007

The opening of the MotorCity Casino Hotel, which was scheduled for November 1, 2007, has been delayed until approximately November 28, 2007. The casino was unwilling to commit to an exact opening date, and blamed the delay on vendor delays in delivery of furniture, fixtures and other furnishings.

Compare this delay with the clockwork precision with which the MGM Grand Casino hotel opened.

MotorCity Prepares To Close As Strike Looms

The contract extension by the Detroit Casino Council, the group of unions representing workers at the three Detroit Casinos, with MotorCity Casino expires at noon today.

In light of the pending strike deadline, numerous media outlets are reporting that the casino is being emptied of patrons.

However, as of this moment, no picket lines have been reported outside of the casino.

Detroit Casinos Negotiate With Unions; Contract Extended

The three Detroit casinos, MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity, and Greektown, continue to negotiate with the unions comprising the Detroit Casino Council. The collective bargaining agreement was set to expire this evening, but the parties have agreed to extend the contract while negotiations continue, with the union committing to give 72 hours notice before a strike.

The Detroit Casino Council is targeting MotorCity in its negotiations, apparently hoping to use the MotorCity contract as the pattern for the remaining two casinos.

UPDATE: Apparently, the media reports were inaccurate, the extension granted to the MotorCity Casino was only through noon on Wednesday, October 17, 2007.

Teamsters Seek Organizing Vote At Soaring Eagle

The Teamsters are seeking to organize the Soaring Eagle workforce. The union has filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board seeking to organize the hotel and casino employees at the casino and resort.