In a show of support for their fellow casino dealers, about one hundred fifty dealers who are members of casino unions in Atlantic City protested in front of the Caesars Casino on July 25th, 2009. Scott Adams, the assistant director of UAW Regional 9, which includes the state of New Jersey said that it had been two long years for a fair gaming contract for the employees of Caesars, Bally’s Tropicana and Trump Plaza.
Adams was pointing to casino dealers at the four casino facilities who voted in 2007 to join the United Auto Workers. The union has since been unsuccessful in finalizing a first-ever contract with the owners of the gaming facilities. The casino dealers contend that the owners are cutting their health benefits and retirement benefits and working hours while giving themselves additional bonuses.
Aside from picketing Caesars casino, which has a considerable casino table games clientele, about 4 dozen vehicles driven by protesters circled the facility repeatedly. Harrah’s Entertainment Incorporated, the owner of Bally’s and Caesars Casino, described
the picket as another stunt in a series of irresponsible and unproductive plans that affects the viability and credibility of Atlantic City and the employees that the union claims to protect and represent.
Harrah’s Entertainment spokesperson Alyce Parker said that they challenge the United Auto Workers to stop its damaging tactics, which affected all of the casino employees in Atlantic City. Last week, casino dealers at Bally’s and dealers and slot machine technicians at Caesars voted to allow a strike. With the decision, the employees joined the casino dealers at the Tropicana casino, who voted to allow a strike in January.
No exact date for walkout has been decided and the UAW said that it would continue to try to solve the problem without declaring a strike. Harrah’s Entertainment stated it is ready to replace striking casino dealers and slot machine technicians with temporary employees in the event of a strike at Caesars Casino or Bally’s.
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