Stanley Casino staff to be balloted on improved pay offer

Stanley's Casino workers will be balloted on an improved pay offer of 3.5% or £600 a year, whichever is the greater, following re-opening of pay talks as the result of the threat of Britain's first ever strike action by casino workers. The new pay offer is being recommended by GMB negotiators.The pay offer to the lowest paid is worth 5.8% The result of the ballot will be known on 11thJuly 2005.

An earlier offer of 3.2% pay offer was overwhelmingly rejected by the staff at Stanley's 41 casinos in England and Scotland who indicated a willingness to be balloted for official industrial action.

GMB members at Stanley's casinos work as croupiers, chefs, receptionists, cleaners, security and waiting staff and in all areas of the industry earning as little as £10,000 a year.

Stanley's operate casinos in 41 towns and cities including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle upon Tyne, Blackpool, Derby, London, Luton, Leicester, Great Yarmouth, Margate, Liverpool, Wirral, Lytham St Anne's, Southport, Bolton, Manchester, Stoke-on-Trent, Coventry, Birmingham, Bristol, Plymouth, Southampton, Bournemouth, Portsmouth, Torquay, Brighton, Reading.

Stanley's recently sold off their 624 betting shops to William Hill for £505 million. Stanley's report a profit of £26 million in their latest accounts (2004) and is hoping to expand its business into mega casinos when the legislation allows.

Mick Ainsley, GMB Organiser said, "This improved pay offer is recommended by the GMB negotiators. The fact that there is a new offer on the table is the direct result of the willingness of the casino workers join the GMB and to take action for better pay and conditions in their industry. This is the first step of many in replacing well paid manufacturing jobs with well paid service sector jobs. The Gaming Industry is a very profitable business and can afford to pay decent pay and conditions."

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Contact:Mick Ainsley, GMB Organiser on 07974 250947 or Steve Pryle GMB Press Officer on 07921 289880

Notes to Editors:  Stanley's turnover £178m (at 2 May 2004), Profit before goodwill, interest and tax £26.0m (at 2 May 2004) www.stanleycasinos.com *Guardian Saturday 4^th June 2005.