Atlantic City Casino Dealers to Vote on Union Representation

Posted By Bill Hash | Tuesday, February 27, 2007 - 08:16
Categories: Travel & Casinos | Law

The UAW (United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America), upon request by employees at several Atlantic City casinos, is organizing the dealers for representation.

Caesars is to be the first east coast casino to vote on union representation. Many dealers at the premiere casino cite reductions in health benefits and retirement plans as some of the causes for employees seeking union representation, with a take it or leave it attitude by casino management.

Past attempts for union representation did not succeed. The UAW is confident it will succeed because of its success with three Detroit casinos which it organized some years ago.

The stakes are high for both sides as New Jersey is an 'at will' state the employee can be discharged for no reason. In likewise manner an employee may quit at any time. Sparring between management and the union has led to name calling and claims of improper behavior such as threats claimed made by both sides as to voting for and against organized representation.

The dealers are one of the last groups of employees not represented by unions within Atlantic City casinos. Some 14 months ago a month long strike by the hotel workers represented by Local 54 curtailed full service at several casinos for weeks.

Readers' Soapbox

Caesars' Vote Avenges Failed Promises

Submitted by Matthew Petti on Tue, 2007-03-20 18:12.

Caesars’ Vote Avenges Failed Promises

The landslide vote by Caesars’ dealers to organize under the UAW comes as no surprise to those who voted "yes" for the Casino Referendum in 1976. Not forgotten are the promises once made, which ensured that the Casinos wouldn't become what they have transformed into today--greedy cash cows exploiting their close proximity to 100 million people. Casinos in Atlantic City boast of record profits each year while each property reports gross revenues exceeding that of any in Las Vegas (that's a fact). The referendum vowed to promote more than just casinos whose revenues would be created by a revolving door of countless gamblers--a fear of many who opposed it.

A quick look at the events of the past two years reveals the true intent of the casino industry in Atlantic City. Sands Casino was allowed to close with no rebuttal from the Casino Control Commission. Harrah's has taken control of 40% of the market here. Do you think that Harrah’s cares about Atlantic City? The Casino Control Act has been amended to favor the industry without the guarantee of customer satisfaction, entertainment and staffing requirements of yesteryear. Cutting costs is easy when marketing strategies are geared toward revolving door casinos without intervention.

From one who has both voted "yes" in 1976 and has endured all of the city's morphs, a drastic decline in employee morale is the most obvious effect I’ve witnessed. Now, Atlantic City "Big Business" wants to categorize union organizing as movements induced by coercion and intimidation--a well-known managerial tactic designed to delay the matter in court hearings. This can be no further from the truth as disgruntled employees let their overwhelming voices be heard nationwide: "We will not go quietly, so give us what you promised." My only hope is that these voices will not be stifled by management intimidation during upcoming citywide votes and whatever delay may be caused by their ridiculous allegations. It's time to take our city back!