<\/p>\n
What<\/strong><\/td>\n| Press Conference: Workers at Crown Melbourne are striking for 12 hours on Valentine\u2019s Day 14 February<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Who<\/strong><\/td>\n | Andrew Jones, Director of Casinos and Clubs, United Workers Union Crown Melbourne delegates and members<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | When<\/strong><\/td>\n | Friday 13 February 2026<\/p>\n | 10.45am \u2013 Speakers arrive at RP2<\/p>\n 11.00am \u2013 Media conference<\/p>\n 11.30am \u2013 Event concludes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Where<\/strong><\/td>\n | RP 2 Yarra Promenade near Crown Towers entrance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n | Workers at Crown Melbourne will strike for 12 hours on Saturday through Valentine\u2019s Day trading, after the company failed to put forward any new wage offer in bargaining.<\/p>\n The strike is expected to disrupt Valentine\u2019s Day dinners, hotel stays and gaming operations across the Southbank complex during one of Crown\u2019s busiest nights of the year.<\/p>\n United Workers Union Director of Casinos and Clubs Andrew Jones said patrons of Crown Melbourne may want to rethink their romantic Valentine\u2019s Day plans.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you are planning a Valentine\u2019s Day dinner, a night at the hotel or an evening on the gaming floor, you should be aware that services may be affected,\u201d Mr Jones said.<\/p>\n \u201cOur members are lawfully taking protected industrial action because Crown has refused to put a wage offer on the table.<\/p>\n \u201cThey do not take this action lightly. These are the workers who deliver the Valentine\u2019s Day dinners, service the hotel rooms and keep the gaming floors running.<\/p>\n \u201cOur members are always happy to go the extra mile on big events like Valentine\u2019s Day and the forthcoming Lunar New Year, but they can\u2019t do this when Crown isn\u2019t treating them fairly.\u201d<\/p>\n The dispute follows Crown\u2019s earlier attempt to introduce a two-tier wage system that would have seen new employees paid up to 32 per cent less for doing the same work. Workers overwhelmingly rejected that proposal and say no meaningful wage movement has followed.<\/p>\n Mr Jones said Crown management had been given every opportunity to resolve the dispute before it reached this point.<\/p>\n \u201cAt a time when cost of living pressures are hitting working people hard, Crown is refusing to make any wage movement at all,\u201d Mr Jones said.<\/p>\n \u201cPatrons should understand that any disruption this weekend is entirely avoidable. Crown can resolve this today by putting forward a fair wage offer.\u201d<\/p>\n Workers say they are prepared to continue escalating action if the company maintains its current position.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will not accept a deal that divides the workforce or locks in lower standards for the future. Crown needs to come back to the table with a genuine offer.<\/p>\n \u201cThis can be resolved immediately. Crown simply needs to put forward a fair wage offer that respects the people who generate its profits.\u201d<\/p>\n United Workers Union is calling on Crown Melbourne to deliver a fair agreement that reflects rising living costs and respects the workforce that makes the venue operate.<\/p>\n |