AD CAMPAIGN TARGETS BOSSES WHO WON’T BARGAIN
Casino workers launch Gaming Workers Council
My husband is so worried about the high cost we pay for his prescriptions,” said Sharon Masino. “We found out he’s been cutting back on his medications.”
A 25-year veteran casino dealer at Caesars in Atlantic City, Masino spoke to a spirited crowd that filled the UAW/AC Dealers Union hall March 16 to cheer the formation of a Gaming Workers Council.
But the room fell silent as Masino described the hardships faced by her husband, also a longtime Caesars dealer, who became ill and can no longer work.
“Last month because of this, he had another seizure,” said Masino. “We’re not the only ones. Many of my co-workers who need prescriptions … they’re all cutting back because they cannot afford the cost.
“That’s how Caesars is treating its employees. All this while our CEO Gary Loveman made $15 million last year. I’m quite sure that no one in his house is cutting their pills in half.”
Masino and fellow UAW members have new backing in a push to win fair contracts, after workers voted for union representation in a series of elections during 2007 at four of the city’s biggest casinos: Caesars, Bally’s, Tropicana and Trump Marina.
Casino management has either been stalling negotiations or breaking the law by refusing to bargain.
The new Gaming Workers Council brings together the UAW, the Transport Workers Union (TWU) Gaming Division, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the AFL-CIO.
“It’s time to take this fight to the next level,” said UAW Secretary-Treasurer Elizabeth Bunn, who directs organizing for the union’s Technical, Office and Professional (TOP) Department. “We’re going to bargain contracts, and we’re going to reach out to hundreds of thousands of unorganized casino workers across the United States.”
Harry Lombardo, executive vice president of TWU, which represents casino dealers at Caesars and Wynn’s casino in Las Vegas, was on hand to sign on to the new council, along with AFL-CIO President John Sweeney and SEIU President Andy Stern.
The UAW has also launched an advertising campaign. Motorists entering Atlantic City are greeted by billboards bearing this message: “Tell Caesars and Bally’s … When workers are treated unfairly everyone loses.”
A similar message is appearing in radio, print and television ads in the Atlantic City and Philadelphia media markets.
“Consumers have a right to know how these casinos are treating workers,” said UAW Region 9 Director Joe Ashton. “I’ve lived in this area all my life, and I’ve seen the gaming industry become an important part of our community.
“A lot of jobs have been created. Many of them are good union jobs with good contracts. There’s no reason dealers and slot technicians should be left out,” he added.
“The casinos in Atlantic City have to play by the rules,” said UAW President Ron Gettelfinger. “Workers voted overwhelmingly to form a union, and those votes have to count for something. That means fair negotiations and a fair contract, and our entire union is standing with casino workers so they can win justice on the job.”
