Detroit Casino Reopens After Reaching Tentative Deal

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=4667562&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1

Last Edited: Wednesday, 17 Oct 2007, 6:58 PM EDT
Created: Wednesday, 17 Oct 2007, 6:58 PM EDT

By COREY WILLIAMS
Associated Press Writer

DETROIT (AP) -- MotorCity Casino and unions representing more than 1,000 workers reached a tentative contract agreement late Wednesday afternoon, about seven hours after patrons were asked to leave and the doors locked.

The Detroit Casino Council and MotorCity officials officially announced the tentative agreement on a new contract in a joint release Wednesday evening.

Employees also have been notified to return to work.

Details of the agreement were not released, but will be presented to the more than 2,000 members of the United Auto Workers, Teamsters and other casino unions.

The deal has to be ratified by union membership, UAW spokesman Roger Kerson said.

MotorCity closed to patrons and employees as the two sides neared an 11:59 a.m. deadline for a new deal. But patrons and employees were allowed back in shortly after 5 p.m., casino spokeswoman Jennifer Kulczycki said.

Negotiators for the unions had been holding out for a wage increase higher than what the casino had offered, some Teamsters told The Detroit News.

The casino also wanted employees to contribute more to health care, but that will remain at current levels for the next four years, the paper reported.