The GMB union is planning a recruitment drive among croupiers and casino staff in a renewed effort to move away from its traditional manufacturing background.
The union, which has 600,000 members, is aiming to follow the success of US unions that have recruited in Las Vegas.
Unite Here, a US union that will speak at this week’s GMB annual conference, has increased its membership among staff in Las Vegas casinos to 50,000, from 10,000 in 1987.
Two-thirds of the GMB’s members work in service industries, and one third employed in manufacturing, reversing the ratio of 10 years ago.
Paul Kenny, GMB’s acting general secretary, said: “We need to replace the well-paid manufacturing jobs of yesterday with well-paid commercial service jobs for tomorrow.”
