Atlantic City Casino Workers Approve Strike at Taj Mahal

Members of UNITE HERE Local 54, known to be the biggest casino workers labor union in Atlantic City, voted in favor of a potential strike at the struggling Trump Taj Mahal.

According to the information released, about 80% or 1,000 members of Local 54 cast a positive vote, thus giving their nod for a strike to be called by the labor union’s negotiating committee, in case it finds that one is necessary.

At present, cooks, housekeepers, bartenders, etc. are represented by Atlantic City’s branch of UNITE HERE. However, no card dealers are members of the union. Ben Begleiter, a spokesman for Local 54, pointed out that if workers decide to go on strike, their jobs will not be affected.

Currently, Taj Mahal is owned by Trump Entertainment Resorts. However, billionaire investor Carl Icahn is to swap his $292-million debt in the gambling operator in exchange for ownership of the casino property. The businessman has promised that he would do his best to restore the venue’s former glory and turn it into a profitable one.

Last October, Taj Mahal employees had their pension and health insurance plans reduced and replaced with 401(k) ones as part of the conditions, under which Mr. Icahn would take charge of the struggling property. Since then, there has been an ongoing dispute between the businessman and Local 54 members. The matter was brought to court and is now reviewed by the 3rd Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. Mr. Icahn said that if it rules in favor of the unionized workers, he would stop funding the casino and this would imminently result in its closure.

Bob McDevitt, President of UNITE HERE Local 54, said in a Friday statement that union members would not “turn a blind eye” on the abuse Taj Mahal employees are forced to endure. Mr. McDevitt argued that Mr. Icahn might have thought that casino workers would be happy with what they were given. However, they will fight to be secured with the jobs they were promised when gambling was legalized in New Jersey – that is, “jobs with good pay and good benefits.”

The last time Local 54 members went on strike was back in 2004. About 10,000 casino workers at seven venues were out for 34 days.

Commenting on the positive strike vote, Trump Entertainment Resorts said in a statement that “the union would jeopardize employees’ wages and tips” at the peak of the season. Yet, the operator said that it has a back-up plan in case work stops at Taj Mahal.

Source: Casino News Daily