Atlantic City casino workers are voting this Wednesday on a critical decision. They will decide if their union leaders have the power to call a strike against the city’s biggest gambling houses. This vote is happening because contracts for thousands of employees expired two weeks ago without a new agreement.
The outcome could lead to a work stoppage during the busy summer season. Tensions are high as workers demand better pay to match rising prices. The casinos and the union remain apart on key economic issues as the clock ticks toward the July 4th holiday weekend.
Union Seek Power to Call Walkout
Members of Unite Here Local 54 are heading to the polls to cast their ballots. The union represents a large workforce including housekeepers, bartenders, cocktail servers, and other service staff. They are not voting to strike immediately today. Instead, they are voting to give the negotiating committee the permission to call a strike if they feel it is needed.
The contracts with the casinos ended nearly two weeks ago. Since then, talks have not produced a new deal that satisfies the workers. Union President Bob McDevitt has made the position of the workers very clear regarding their financial needs.
McDevitt stated that the workers have needed a real raise for a long time. He noted that they are working past the contract expiration. The union intends to keep trying to reach a deal with the companies. However, this vote places the power to call a strike in the hands of the negotiating team if talks fail.
“We’re fourteen days past our agreement termination, and we’ll keep on attempting to arrive with the organizations, but we’re taking a vote this week to place in the possession of the arranging panel the ability to call a strike, if vital.”
– Bob McDevitt, President of Unite Here Local 54
A “yes” vote does not mean workers will walk off the job tomorrow. It is a strategic move. It is designed to increase pressure on the casino operators. If the casinos know a strike can happen at any moment, they might offer better terms.
The negotiating committee includes workers from all nine casinos in the city. This ensures that the voice of the entire workforce is heard. They will decide the best time to act if the casino owners do not meet their demands.
Workers Demand Higher Wages Amid Inflation
The main issue in this dispute is money. The union says it is looking for significant wage increases in the next contract. The workers are facing heavy financial challenges right now. The cost of living has gone up quickly due to inflation.
Prices for gas, food, and rent have all increased. Workers feel that their current wages are not enough to support their families. The union argues that the people who keep the casinos running deserve to earn enough to survive these price hikes.
The COVID-19 pandemic also plays a big role in this situation. Casino workers faced a lot of uncertainty and hardship over the last few years. Many were out of work when casinos closed or operated at limited capacity. Now that business is back, they want to share in the recovery.
The union believes that the casinos can afford to pay more. They point to recent revenue numbers as proof that the industry is bouncing back. However, the workers feel they have been left behind while the companies make money.
The Debate Over Casino Profits
There is a strong disagreement about how much money the casinos are actually making. On paper, the numbers look very good. The casinos and their online partners are bringing in more money now than they did before the pandemic started.
However, the casino operators say these numbers are misleading. They argue that the total revenue figures do not tell the whole story. A large chunk of the money comes from online gambling and sports betting.
The casinos do not keep all of that online money. They have to share it with third-party technology partners. The casinos claim they only keep about 30 percent of the online winnings. This makes their actual profits lower than what the headlines suggest.
| Revenue Source | Casino Share (Approximate) | Partner Share (Approximate) |
|---|---|---|
| In-Person Gambling | 100% | 0% |
| Online & Sports Betting | 30% | 70% |
Casino owners focus on “in-person” revenue. This is the money won from gamblers who physically visit the casino floor. They say this is the most important number for their business health. According to them, not every casino has returned to the levels of business they saw before the pandemic.
You can verify the detailed breakdown of these financial figures through official state reports. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement publishes monthly reports that show exactly where the money comes from.
According to reports from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, the distinction between internet gaming win and physical slots or table games is a key metric in understanding the industry’s true financial standing.
Learning from Past Labor Disputes
Atlantic City has seen difficult strikes in the past. Both sides remember what happens when talks break down completely. The union has shown it is willing to take action if necessary.
In 2004, the union went on strike for 34 days. That was a long and difficult battle for both the workers and the city. It caused significant disruption to the local economy. Workers walked picket lines for over a month to get the contract they wanted.
A more recent conflict happened in 2016. The union went on strike against the Trump Taj Mahal casino in July of that year. That dispute did not end well for the casino. The strike lasted for months, and the casino eventually shut its doors in October 2016.
- The 2004 strike lasted 34 days across the city.
- The 2016 strike targeted the Trump Taj Mahal specifically.
- The Taj Mahal closed in October 2016 following the labor dispute.
- The property later reopened under new ownership as the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
The closure of the Taj Mahal is a warning sign. It shows that these disputes can have permanent consequences. The property has since reopened as the Hard Rock, but the memory of the closure still lingers in the city.
Potential Impact on Fourth of July Weekend
The timing of this vote is very important. Summer is the busiest time for Atlantic City. The casinos rely on the warm months to make a large portion of their yearly profit. The upcoming July 4th holiday weekend is one of the most critical dates on the calendar.
No official deadline for a strike has been set yet. However, the July 4th weekend is a clear target. A strike during that weekend would cause major problems for the casinos. It would disrupt hotel stays, dining, and gambling during a peak tourist rush.
Business plans for the casinos depend heavily on a successful Independence Day celebration. A walkout by housekeepers and servers would make it very hard to operate. This gives the union leverage in the negotiations.
There is some good news for visitors to certain properties. The union has protected agreements with Ocean Casino Resort and Bally’s. These casinos have agreed to honor the terms of whatever contract is eventually reached with the larger casino companies.
This means workers at Ocean and Bally’s might not strike even if others do. However, for the rest of the nine casinos, the threat is real. No final contracts have been signed anywhere yet. The vote today will determine if the city faces a quiet summer or a noisy labor battle.
For more context on how labor disputes impact local economies, data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on work stoppages highlights the significant effect these events can have on service industries.
This situation in Atlantic City is serious. The workers are ready to fight for better pay. The casinos are trying to protect their bottom line. The result of today’s vote will set the stage for what comes next.
Workers feel they have waited long enough. They want a share of the success they help create every day. As the holiday weekend approaches, all eyes are on Atlantic City to see if a deal can be made before it is too late.
Disclaimer: The information in this article regarding labor negotiations and financial figures represents the current situation as reported. Strike actions and contract terms are subject to change rapidly. This is not financial or travel advice.
Conclusion
This vote marks a turning point for Atlantic City’s workforce. The workers are tired of struggling while the industry recovers. A strike could change summer plans for thousands of tourists. We hope both sides find a fair solution soon. Share this story with #AtlanticCityStrike #CasinoWorkers #LaborRights and let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
