Union wins fight over casino rosters

By John Nebauer

ADELAIDE -- The Adelaide Casino has lost its fight to hire what it calls “loyal staff” on Sunday rosters.

The dispute began in late August when a new enterprise agreement was due to be negotiated. Casino management refused to do negotiate and moved to introduce individual contracts.

Anne Drohan, branch president of the Liquor Hospitality Union (LHU) told Green Left Weekly that management wanted pay cuts and less job security for casual staff. Many angry staff struck for 24 hours on September 5.

Since then, casuals who joined the strike have not been given the lucrative Sunday shifts, which have been reserved for those who did not strike.

Croupier Michelle Burns and the LHU took the Casino to court and had the roster arrangements overturned. Management argued that striking staff had not been offered Sunday shifts because the casino had to “protect itself” against “strong rumours” of further [strike] action.

Judge McCusker refused to believe casino managers Paul Mason and Simon Best's statements that a “hit list” of strikers had been drawn up by [casino] department heads without direction from management. Casino management has appealed against the decision.

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