Union threatens casino pay strike

Stanley runs the UK's largest casino - Star City in Birmingham

Casino workers could go on strike for the first time in a row over pay.

The GMB union has announced a consultative ballot of 1,000 members working for Stanley Casinos, which has 41 sites in England and Scotland.

The ballot is in protest at a 3.2% pay offer - the union wants a 4.5% rise and improvements in working conditions.

A Stanley Leisure spokesman said it was still in annual pay review talks with the GMB, and that it was hopeful of "a successful outcome for both parties".

The ballot could lead to industrial action by staff, including croupiers, chefs, receptionists, cleaners and security workers, at Stanley - the UK's largest casino operator.

Union National Officer Mick Ainsley said: "GMB members in casinos have been undervalued by their employer for far too long.

"They are fed up with Stanley's failure to deal with low pay in an industry that cannot claim to have no money."

The union said some employees, such as waitresses, were on annual salaries of £10,400 - just above the minimum wage.

It also complained that staff who were harassed or bullied by customers received little support from management.

The Stanley Leisure spokesman said: "The company is currently in talks with the GMB regarding its annual pay review from 1 May and hopes that these will be concluded shortly with a successful outcome for both parties."