One union’s “industrial action” is another company’s “dialogue.” That’s the Rashomon-like situation playing out at MGM Grand Paradise in Macao. 
Earlier this month, Forefront of the Macao Gaming announced that a weekend work-to-rule would take place at MGM. Dealers were to call in sick. However many participated in the protest, MGM reported it was “running as normal. The vast majority of our team members have reported to work and are delivering their high level of service, as usual.”
This came on the heels of a protest at the casino. Estimates of turnout varied greatly, from 500 workers (Forefront) to 240 (police). After marching around the building, protesters demanded pay equity, particularly for dealers who double as pit bosses. “We’ve run a couple of ballots on a couple of issues that seemed to be sensitive,” said MGM China CEO Grant Bowie. “And we are progressively communicating back to the team on those ballots but also on other issues they raised with us.” However, he denied that Forefront’s agitation played any role in the intramural talks.
Although MGM hasn’t been authorized yet to operate smoking rooms, Bowie said the casino had three “pods” ready to go and was contemplating adding more. He continued, “We’ve got to plan over the next three to four years to redo all the restaurants; concentrate all of our non-gaming activities in and around the Grande Praça.” At least Bowie doesn’t have dealers wearing black shirts to protest the 65th anniversary of Red China, as happened at Sociedade de Jogos de Macau. That’s the casino business in Macao for you: always colorful.
* Congratulations to Sands China CEO Edward Tracy, who has been named one of the 100 best-performing CEOs in the world by Harvard Business Review. 
He shares that honor with, among others, Steve Wynn, who came in at #12. One hopes that Tracy’s recognition doesn’t earn him the wrath of Las Vegas Sands CEO Sheldon Adelson, who didn’t make this list. Ex-Harvard boffin Gary Loveman didn’t make the cut, either, which could cause some umbrage at Caesars Entertainment. Oh, by the way, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos was Numero Uno. Judging from the amount of money his company has extracted from me over the years, I’d say it was a strong choice.
* I’m not sure what “Scandinavian fantasy” means (unless it involves blonde stewardesses) but it’s the new theme for Tropicana Entertainment‘s MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa at Lake Tahoe. It also means replacing all of one’s carpet. With the former Horizon gearing up to reopen as a Hard Rock-branded casino, MontBleu needs to raise its game. Will these measures be enough?
