Sky River Casino workers picket the casino Sept. 30, 2026, in Elk Grove, California. Photo courtesy of Unite Here Local 49

ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - Sky River Casino workers, community allies, and customers picketed the casino Sept. 30, carrying a banner with photos of over 300 workers calling on the casino to honor its agreement and negotiate a fair contract.

Sky River workers' choice to unionize was confirmed last fall when a neutral third-party arbitrator certified majority support, ordered the casino to recognize the union and bargain a first contract. The casino refused. Now, over 300 Sky River workers continue to demand a contract with higher wages, affordable benefits and job security.

Sky River Casino workers are paid below average when compared to large union casinos in Northern California!

“McDonald’s pays $20/hour. Sky River pays me less! We've waited long enough for Sky River to honor its agreement and negotiate a fair contract. Enough is enough,” said Pam Secrease, a casino worker.

Sky River Casino workers hold a sign as part of their call for better wages Photo courtesy of Unite Here Local 49

In 2017, the casino owners and their management company entered into a legal agreement with Unite Here guaranteeing to recognize the union and bargain a contract if a majority of workers at the casino signed union authorization cards.

A super majority of workers signed union authorization cards in the Summer of 2023. The Union has demanded recognition and bargaining to address many issues that the workers face, including wages that are below the union average.

The casino refused to follow its agreement arguing the card check agreement would violate the tribal labor relations ordinance, a provision in their Compact.

The tribe unsuccessfully made this argument in front of two arbitrators, a district court judge, and a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which consistently and unanimously upheld the decision to side with the union. Now, the tribe is appealing to U.S. Supreme Court.