Local 54 Workers Approve Potential Strike At Several AC Casinos
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (CBS) - Workers at four Atlantic City casinos voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike and Local 54 leaders are suggesting a walkout at five of the eight casinos could well be timed for the July 4th weekend.
Workers at Trump Taj Mahal previously authorized a walkout. The approval vote of 96% by workers at Tropicana, Caesars, Harrah's and Bally's could lead to a July First strike involving more than 5,000 workers.
Union President Bob McDevitt, speaking to reporters in a conference call, says the companies are making money, but remain reluctant to return the givebacks members made five years ago.
"Thus far they have not shown any interest in respecting the workers with their proposals," he said. "They may come to their senses, but we're prepared that if they don't, we're going to have to walk."
For Elaine Malloy, a 25 year veteran cocktail waitress at Bally's, it's about respect. She says the downsized casino industry is making money again, and the union members want management to share the wealth. "They want to give themselves incentives and bonuses, but don't want to give anything back to the union workers?" she asked. "It's a disgrace. It's appalling."
Management issued a quick response to McDevitt's statements in a pair of press releases.
At Caesars, which also owns Bally's and Harrah's, spokeswoman Katie Dougherty said "Our goal remains to negotiate a fair resolution to keep our employees at work for their sake and to continue supporting Atlantic City's revitalization which has our full commitment."
Tony Rodio, CEO of Tropicana, reminded workers of a 5 year, 160 million dollar commitment to the facility starting when casinos went south in 2011. Since then, Rodio says "Our employees have benefitted from increased hours, increased gratuities and job security while 33% of the markets' 12 casinos have been forced to close and thousands have lost their jobs."
Tropicana's owner, billionaire investor Carl Ichan, recently took over the Taj Mahal.
McDevitt believes the casinos are just playing for time. "Their ploy is to keep the workers working through the summer and get them back to the table in the fall when business is starting to go down," he said, "and basically rob them of what they're trying to fight for."
The last casino workers strike in Atlantic City, in 2004, dragged on for 34 days.