The site–ACTravelAlert.org–will provide visitors with updates on casino contract negotiations
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — $BALY–Today UNITE HERE Local 54 launched a website to alert travelers to a potential labor dispute in Atlantic City. As the industry’s gaming operating profits surpass pre-pandemic levels, wages for Atlantic City’s casino workers have not kept pace. Contracts at all nine casinos are set to expire May 31. In the upcoming negotiations, casino workers see an opportunity to demand substantial raises across the board.
“Now that the casinos have recovered from the pandemic, it’s time for our members to recover, too. The Atlantic City gaming industry was established to create good middle class jobs, and our members are prepared to do whatever it takes to win the raises they need to get by in this economy,” said Bob McDevitt, President of Local 54. “Visitors to Atlantic City deserve to know the status of our contract negotiations, because when contracts expire, a labor dispute is always possible.”
Casino workers have sacrificed wage increases over the years for the health of the industry. Workers persevered through casino closures, Hurricane Sandy, and a global pandemic. Now, these same workers are getting left behind.
“I have to buy less because I need to pay the rent and utilities,” says Fabiola Sarmiento, a housekeeper at Harrah’s. “If I don’t, I will get my services cut. Electricity and gas have increased. The rent also increased. Food is super expensive, so I try to eat once per day. I am a cancer survivor and when I was ill with cancer, I applied to the state for help. The state did not give me any help. Supposedly, what I earn is enough to live on but that is not true.”
The website, ACTravelAlert.org, was last used by UNITE HERE Local 54 to update the public on the status of the Taj Mahal boycott and 2016 strike. Workers on strike held continuous picket lines in front of the Taj Mahal for 102 days.
Organizations that book business in Atlantic City should continue to check the website to keep up-to-date on contract negotiations. Travelers can also sign up to receive email updates about possible labor disputes.
The following casino contracts will expire on May 31, 2022:
- Bally’s (NYSE:BALY) Atlantic City
- Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa Atlantic City
- Caesars ((NASDAQ:CZR) Atlantic City Hotel and Casino
- Golden Nugget Atlantic City
- Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City
- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City
- Ocean Resort Casino
- Resorts Atlantic City
- Tropicana Casino & Resort Atlantic City
For updates on this potential labor dispute, follow @UHLocal54 on Twitter.
UNITE HERE Local 54 Atlantic City has been representing hospitality workers in the hospitality industry for over 100 years. Our members work as housekeepers, bartenders, cocktail servers, cooks, bellmen, doormen, and other service jobs in the casinos and hospitality industry of South Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania. With over 10,000 members, Local 54 is the largest private sector union in the region. Local 54 is an affiliate of UNITE HERE, an international labor union that represents 300,000 working people across North America.
Contacts
Bethany Holmes, 213-675-0905, bholmes@unitehere.org