NORTHFIELD, Ohio — After Ohio. Gov. Mike DeWine banned mass gathering of more than 100 people in March, local casinos subsequently closed and took a hit. MGM Northfield Park, who initially laid off most of its workforce, said on Friday that it will continue to stay closed under the state’s order, which affects 937 employees.
MGM Northfield said it will provide benefits for all eligible employees who are enrolled on its health plan through Aug. 31, 2020.
Due to the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, the casino said it had to reassess its reopening date, which is out of its control as hotels and casinos will be among the last businesses permitted to resume operations.
“Due to our extended closure, the business is anticipated to continue to have a significant decrease in revenue, cancellation and non-booking of hotel, restaurant, and entertainment events, as well as significant postponements and cancellations of convention bookings,” the company wrote in a letter to the Office of Workforce Development on May 5. “Our sincere hope continues to remain that this layoff is temporary, but in light of the continuing pandemic and our extended closure, we are unable to say that the layoff may not last more than six months for at least some portion of our employees. "
Employee bumping rights will depend on the Collective Bargaining Agreement applicable to those employees.
The company said said it’s unable to assess a more specific return to work date.
