Union Comes to Trump Hotel and Casino

[Thomas]

A strong majority of workers at Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino voted in favor of union representation. In an election conducted on Sat., March 31, full-time and regular part-time dealers, as well as dual-rate dealers and dual-rate supervisors voted 324 to 149 to become part of the UAW.

"The election victory is superb news for Trump Plaza dealers and all Atlantic City dealers. Their courage and determination makes us proud to stand with them as they work to make their jobs and their lives better," said UAW Secretary-Treasurer Elizabeth Bunn, who heads the union's Technical, Office and Professional Department. "We look forward to bargaining with Trump Plaza management to secure a great first contract that benefits casino workers and the gaming industry in New Jersey."

The new bargaining unit at Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino includes table game dealers, dual-rate dealers and dual-rate supervisors. Dealers' issues include low pay, meager health benefits, no seniority rights and poor treatment on the job.

The vote at Trump Plaza is the second in a city-wide effort by dealers to form a union. Dealers at Caesars Atlantic City voted 572-128 in favor of UAW representation in an election on March 17. On March 30, dealers at Trump Marina Hotel and Casino filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board requesting a union representation election. Dealers at several other casinos are actively involved in organizing efforts.

[Thomas]

Now the same thing is happening in Las Vegas. The Wynn is going to have to have a vote after a policy was implemented which allowed managers to share in the dealer's tip pool. The dealers were sometimes making $100,000 per year with the tip pool factored in, and this was causing them to be paid more than their bosses. The new policy was suppose to even this out. Needless to say, the dealers were not happy.