Casino staff will take industrial action over pay rates on Friday, arguing they are stuck on low wages while millions are spent on refurbishments and salaries for executives.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But the casino's new owners, Aquis Entertainment, say they saved the failing business, and that workers receive lucrative penalty rates and good conditions.
Staff from gaming, food and beverage, security, and surveillance voted to take the industrial action, which, at this stage, will involve refusing to wear uniforms and wearing union t-shirts instead.
The workers have been involved in negotiations over an enterprise agreement since February.
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.
United Voice ACT secretary Lyndal Ryan said staff were asking for a relatively modest wage increase in circumstances where the casino's owner, Aquis, was spending millions on a refurbishment, and paying large salaries to its top executives.
"The casino spends millions on promotions and the like but still cries poor when it comes to wage increases for the very people who actually generate their revenue," Ms Ryan said.
"The increase sought by the workers is moderate – 3 pre cent above the award minimum. We are hoping that senior executives take a long-term view and deliver the fair wages our members are seeking."
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.
Aquis Entertainment said in a statement it was disappointed that a minority of its workforce, which it estimates at 10 per cent, had chosen to take industrial action, saying it appeared to be deliberately timed to coincide with its reopening after its $14 million refurbishment.
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.
"Aquis Entertainment has worked proactively with United Voice to progress negotiations and we have agreed to a number of proposals put forward by the union as part of the process," Aquis said in a statement.
"Accordingly, we are concerned that the proposed industrial action, which may affect customer service in the short term and patronage in the longer term, is counter productive not only to the casino but to its employees, including those that United Voice represents."
The casino's refurbishment, aimed at drawing international gamblers to Canberra, was shown off to an opening party of more than 600 guests earlier this month.
Aquis is also planning a $307 million bid to build a new casino, with hotels, restaurants, and resort-style entertainment.
At the same time, Ms Ryan said, current staff were struggling to meet the costs of living on their current wages.
"The casino is asking the community to take gamble on them in supporting their plans for the city," she said.
"Perhaps the greatest community contribution that the casino can make to Canberra is the creation of reasonable waged jobs – not more low wage precarious ones."
But Aquis said the casino was destined for closure before it took over, and that it was funding wages and investment from loans, not profits.
It said the casino had not been profitable since 2009, and that the company had absorbed a loss of more than $5 million last year alone.
"Current operating shortfalls (including employee wages) and our reinvestment program are funded by interest bearing loans, not profits," the company said.
"The benefits of reinvesting in the business, after a long period of under investment by our predecessor, will deliver meaningful career pathways in hospitality both to our current and future expanded workforce – outcomes the union should by supportive of."
