Staff at the casino have been negotiating a new pay deal since February and voted for protected action last month, which was approved by the Fair Work Commission.

The industrial action was described by United Voice organiser Lyndal Ryan as "modest" and involved staff wearing union T-shirts and badges between 11am and 4.30am on June 25.

But when the staff changed into the union shirts they were warned by management they would face disciplinary action unless they complied with the casino's strict dress code.

The casino then took the union to the Fair Work Commission and applied for a suspension of industrial action for 14 days.

Canberra Casino general manager Rhiannon Bach told the commission the industrial action made her uncomfortable given the recent launch of a $14 million refurbishment.

"I want customers to walk into our casino and be transported into a different world than walking along a city walk," she said.

"I want them to walk in and feel like they're in a James Bond movie.

"We are providing an experience to a customer that involves, I guess, the same kind of thing that you would expect when you watch a movie. It is the suspension of disbelief."

But Ms Ryan argued punters would not care if the workers were "proudly wearing the colour of burgundy or dressed in a dinner suit".

"They are there to punt," she said.

Union Voice branch organiser Erryn Cresshull told the commissioner she "was not a James Bond type".

Ms Bach, who was brought to the casino for her experience in Macau, said she expected a standard of excellence from her staff to improve the casino's reputation.

"I want their uniform to be clean and pressed," she said. "I want their hair to be neatly combed and styled. I want them to be clean. I want them to have a professional posture. I want to them have opening and welcoming body language."

The union says it is asking for a wage rise of 3 per cent above the award minimum, arguing their base rates of pay, between $19 and $22 an hour, are too low.

The casino, however, disputes that its staff are poorly paid, saying they earn above award wages and receive far higher penalty rates than the hospitality award – a significant benefit in an industry that predominantly works evenings, nights, and weekends.

The company said that, once inflation was taken into account, the union was effectively arguing for a 6 per cent wage rise above award rates and the additional penalty rates.

The Fair Work Commission found suspending industrial action would not assist negotiations between the casino and the workers.

"Suspending the industrial action would not be beneficial to the parties because it would not assist in resolving the matters at issue," the judgment said.

"The commission is not satisfied that suspension of the protected industrial action for cooling off is appropriate."