Summary
- The union said 99% of workers voted in approval of the new pacts.
- Salary increases start at $18hr and go as high as $22hr by the end of the four-year deal.
- Golden Nugget and Resorts Casino have yet to negotiate an agreement.
So far, so good, for union employees in Atlantic City, as five casinos have agreed to new compact terms. Union members voted earlier this week on the matter, with 99% voting in favor of the agreements. Significant raises are included in the deal along with better benefits.
One area of contention among union members was the pay rate. Trying to continue to recover from COVID-19 layoffs and the current inflation rates, have left casino employees struggling to get by. Union members wanted to see significant pay raises so that workers can survive these trying times.
With the new deal, housekeeping employees will enjoy an hourly salary increase to $18 immediately. The pay will continue to increase to $22 per hour by the end of the four-year contract. Union president Bob McDevitt pointed out that it is hard to sell people on housekeeping positions when the pay is $16. Move it up to $20-$22 and people are more willing to work.
Employees have pointed out that casino workers have been in need of raises for quite some time. The money provided now can be used to help with daily expenses. The contract allows for raises to be retroactive for non-tipped and tipped employees to June 1.
Employees have access to fully funded family health care plans and pension, plus job protection and improvements for the housekeeping employees’ workloads. Over 6,000 employees are affected by the decision, at venues including the Tropicana, Harrah’s, Hard Rock, Borgata, and Caesars. A total of 3,000 more employees are included via Ocean Casino and Bally’s due to signed ‘me-too’ agreements.
Resorts and Golden Nugget Must Sign Deals
Now, all that is left to do is see the Golden Nugget and Resorts Casino sign new contract deals with union members. The casinos have not negotiated new agreements and if new deals are not reached soon, a strike will most likely take place.
The union will vote on July 19 on whether a strike should be authorized. Executives of the casinos are not commenting at this time. It is expected that the casinos will reach an agreement by then, if they are willing to offer the same type of benefits that the other casinos are willing to offer employees.
It will be interesting to see how long it takes for the venues to sign a deal or if a strike will take place, unlike the other venues that were able to avoid it with new agreements.
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