Workers from the Melbourne venue’s bars, restaurants and gaming rooms will be among those to walk out, the United Workers Union confirmed on Monday.

They are fighting for better pay and job security and Friday’s strike will be the first such action in 16 years.

But Crown said they are still working towards a deal with workers

Workers have “overwhelmingly voted” for strike action which will involve 24-hour walkouts and a ban on serving alcohol, the union said.

One casino dealer said the action comes after months of trying to get a better deal from Crown.

“If you come to Crown this Friday night, what you’ll see is workers standing up for themselves,” worker Josephine Annink said.

“We won’t back down until we win secure hours and fair pay for all workers.”

A spokeswoman for Crown said the company is currently “bargaining” with the union for a new agreement.

“The parties are constructively working towards finalising our new agreement,” she added.

Tim Kennedy, national secretary at the union said employees deserve a “fair share of the company’s success”.

“Instead they’re living week to week, struggling to pay the bills, and having to take on second jobs just to get by. It’s time for this to stop,” he said.

The union has vowed that strike action will continue throughout the racing season “until they win justice”.