UAW News Release, 08/25/07

Atlantic City:  Casino workers won another major organizing victory today, when a majority of full- and part-time dealers and dual-rate employees voted YES for UAW representation.  Eighty percent of those participating in the election voted in favor of UAW representation; the new bargaining unit will include about 950 employees.

“Workers are on a roll in Atlantic City,” said Joe Ashton, director of UAW Region 9, which includes New Jersey. “This is five important wins so far this year, and we continue to hear from more casino workers who want to join this movement and win a voice on the job and dignity in the workplace.”

A majority of casino dealers at Caesars, Bally’s and Trump Plaza voted in favor of UAW representation earlier this year. Slot technicians at Caesars voted Thursday, Aug. 23 to form their own union, and cashiers at Caesars will vote on Saturday, Sept. 1.

Bargaining for a first contract for casino dealers is already underway with Caesars’ management, and workers at other UAW-represented casinos are electing negotiating teams, developing bargaining proposals and taking other steps to prepare for negotiations.

“It’s very exciting for our union to be part of this growing movement in Atlantic City and elsewhere around the country,” said UAW Secretary-Treasurer Elizabeth Bunn, who directs the union’s Technical, Office and Professional Department. “It’s a great opportunity for workers in the gaming industry to improve their workplaces, and our union is proud to assist them in every way possible.”

The UAW, one of the nation’s largest and most diverse labor unions, represents 6,000 gaming employees in Detroit, Atlantic City and Newport, R.I.