Unionized workers at Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino went on strike over the weekend in response to a wage offer by the casino owner. Photo via Unite Here! Local 19 Facebook page

A federal judge on Monday declined to issue a temporary restraining order against union employees on strike at Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino, Inc.

Judge Kirk E. Sherriff’s order said the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians hasn’t demonstrated why the federal court would have jurisdiction in its labor dispute.

Unite Here! Local 19 represents about half of Chukchansi Gold’s 1,188 employees, working hospitality roles including bartenders, bell persons, line cooks and valet drivers. Members of Unite Here staged a walkout at 3 a.m. on July 12, with about 50 employees picketing at the casino entrances.

The strike ended Monday at midnight.

Chukchansi Gold and Unite Here have been in negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement since January  on issues including paid time off, sick leave, family leave, bereavement leave and handling of tips, according to court records.

Casino officials said the latest strike threat was precipitated by a wage offer that Unite Here deemed unacceptable.

Striking workers told local media that the 2% raise would’ve included being charged for lunches they currently receive for free and taking away free medical benefits.

The tribe, which said it hasn’t received a counteroffer from Unite Here, asserts that the picketing violates the tribe’s Tribal Labor Relations Ordinance.

Tracey Hopkins, chairwoman of the Chukchansi Economic Development Authority, said in a July 13 court filing that the labor action would cause Chukchansi Gold to “continue to incur significant losses in profit and goodwill resulting from closures and service delays that are caused by the premature strike.”

While declining the motion for a temporary restraining order, the court set a hearing for July 31 for the parties “to brief the matter more fully,” Sheriff wrote.