“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,” said Caesars Entertainment Operating Company, which owns and runs three of the casinos where workers are voting. “Service workers at the casinos are frustrated by billionaire private equity investors who swoop in to ostensibly ‘rescue’ businesses, but focus instead on squeezing out profits at the expense of working people,” said the union’s statement. It also says many of its workers rely on public assistance, such as government-subsidized health insurance and food stamps. The union says workers are paid an average of $11.74 an hour, and that veteran workers have received wage increases of just 80 cents over the last 12 years. The union that represents the workers, UNITE Here, has set a July 1 strike deadline if there’s no deal before the start of the holiday weekend. More than 6,000 workers at the five casinos could walk off the job if the strike occurs. Ninety-six percent of the workers at four of the city’s casinos voted Thursday to go on strike on July 1 if the gaming industry “continues to hold down wages.” Workers at a fifth casino have already authorized a walk-out. Atlantic City’s problems might get worse.
