One of the US' most prominent unions, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, has called on Atlantic City's biggest operators to agree "fair" contracts with casino workers.
Contracts for 10 of the city’s casinos expired on September 15 and now the Local 54 of the Unite Here union is understood to have offered to cut certain remuneration demands for housekeepers, food and beverage servers and luggage handlers.
However, having seen revenues fall dramatically in recent years, operators are believed to be seeking even greater cuts. Negotiations now appear to have stalled.
Expressing his union’s support for Unite Here and Atlantic City workers, Teamsters general president James Hoffa said the casinos were happy to make use of unions when attempting to convince state legislatures of the jobs they will bring, but are now "showing a different colour."
"In contract negotiations with workers in Atlantic City, these companies are trying to destroy health and pension plans that have taken years to build," he said. "The companies’ proposals would turn middle class gaming industry jobs into poverty-level jobs. Taking this industry’s single greatest selling point and turning it into a liability isn’t what this country or this industry need.
"We encourage Caesars Entertainment, Trump Resorts and the rest of the companies in Atlantic City to settle fair contracts now."
