Atlantic City casino union vote to strike, if demands are not met

Casino workers in Atlantic City seem unshakable in pressing on with their demand, calling for contract review else they embark on strike from July 1.

Unite Here Local 54, the uniting body of all casino employees at Atlantic City’s nine casino resorts, are demanding better pay and improved working conditions.

Earlier this month, Unite Here Local 54 had a peaceful demonstration outside the Tropicana. The protesters were seen calling on their patrons for a wage increase. The contract that guides the worker expired on May 31.

The workers demanding that the new contracts capture a “significant increase in their pay.” The pay will help members improve their living conditions and family welfare amid the rising cost of commodities due to the effect of the pandemic.

Unite Here Local 54; have about 10,000 workers working various roles at the casinos, including bellmen, restaurant staff, cocktail servers, and housekeepers, among others.

The group took to their Twitter page to announce that their members voted that their leaders can call a strike if their demands are not met.

“ Thousands of casino workers cast ballots today and 96% have voted in favour of authorizing the worker negotiation committee to call a strike if an agreement is not reached with Caesars, Harrah’s, Tropicana, and Borgata, by July 1st and Hard Rock by July 3rd.”

Bob McDevitt, Unite Here Local 54 President, stated that they stood by the casinos during trying times, whereas their members gave up some benefits to ensure the smooth running of the casinos during the pandemic.

“The ball’s in their court. They need to offer these workers a fair contract. We gave up a lot when times were bad, now that they are making money; they need to give back to us.”

McDevitt noted that they are available for negotiations during the day and even on weekends, to ensure that they resolve the pending demand of the workers.

The nine casinos operating in the Atlantic City, New Jersey include;
• Caesars
• Bally
• Harrah
• The Tropicana casino and resort
• Golden nugget
• Borgata Hotel and Spa owned by MGM Resorts International,
• Hard rock hotel and casino
• Ocean casino
• Resorts casino and hotel

Caesars Entertainment owns and operates Caesars, Bally, and Harrah. Caesars is Atlantic City’s biggest employer.

McDevitt noted that Bally and Ocean will not be included in the strike; both stated that they will comply with any decision reached with Unite Here 54.

The casinos’ representation in the negotiation process should properly communicate the demands of the workers to their principals to avert the looming strike.

The casinos can’t afford to lose revenue in the forthcoming July 4 independence long weekend holidays.

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