Employees at The Star Brisbane took industrial action on Friday evening, July 4th, marking the first-ever protected strike against a casino operator in Australia. The demonstration, which occurred from 4pm to 6pm, involved workers from multiple departments—including gaming, food and beverage, and housekeeping—and coincided with the bustling after-work crowd at the Queen’s Wharf venue.

The strike, organized by the United Workers Union (UWU), was triggered by what union leaders described as an unacceptable wage proposal from the Star Entertainment Group. At the center of the dispute is a pay offer of 4% spread over three years, accompanied by reductions in Sunday penalty rates. UWU national president Jo Schofield criticized the proposal as “an insulting offer from the company” that fails to reflect the rising cost of living and the loyalty shown by staff throughout a turbulent financial period.

“We’ve been there through the worst of it”:

Schofield pointed to the dedication of staff during the past 18 months, many of whom continued working despite financial uncertainty. “While workers kept the place going in the dark days earlier this year, the shiny suits at Star Brisbane Casino blundered from disaster to disaster,” she said. “Now they’re failing to respect the importance of Star Brisbane workers who have kept the place running through crisis after crisis.”

According to Brisbane Times, a bartender at the Brisbane venue, Kaine Kennedy, voiced frustration over low pay and wage disparities. He noted that despite working in a brand-new, nearly $4 billion resort, he earns only about 60 cents above the national minimum wage—roughly $2 less per hour than a colleague in the same role at Star Sydney. “For bartenders, you can go and work at other bars in the city and get paid more than to work at an almost $4 billion new integrated resort,” he stated.

According to union representatives, management has explained that the proposed pay terms reflect Star’s current financial constraints. Still, workers argue that executive decisions should not leave front-line staff undercompensated.

Star’s response and ongoing financial woes:

In response to the walkout, a spokesperson for Star Brisbane acknowledged that the company has been engaged in “long and challenging EA negotiations with unions.” They stated that Star is working hard to strike a balance between providing “wage growth for team members” and preserving the company’s financial stability.

“We are disappointed that Protected Industrial Action will be taken, as this action impacts all visitors that arrive at The Star Brisbane seeking memorable hospitality experiences,” the spokesperson added.

The Star Brisbane employs close to 2,000 staff. Despite the dispute, management insists that their offer is the result of flexible and careful deliberation, given the business’s precarious position.

The Star Entertainment Group has faced ongoing financial troubles since The Star Brisbane’s phased opening in August 2024. In April, the company avoided administration through a AU$300 million lifeline jointly provided by U.S.-based Bally’s Corporation and Bruce Mathieson’s Investment Holdings.

Plans to sell the Brisbane property to long-time Hong Kong-based partners Chow Tai Fook Enterprises and Far East Consortium have also unraveled, with the duo expected to formally withdraw from the buyout agreement imminently.

During a press briefing on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland Premier David Crisafulli expressed his concerns, stating, “I really am not fazed as to what happens in the boardrooms with the corporate suits about Star, but I am really concerned about the workers. They have every right to be able to speak up, because our going-in position is the workers shouldn’t be impacted because of bad decisions made in boardrooms.”