AP: Union warns of 'labor disputes' if casino contracts expire

Gamblers play slot machines at the Tropicana casino in Atlantic City, N.J., on May 12, 2022. Figures released by state gambling regulators on May 16, 2022, show New Jersey's casinos, horse tracks that offer sports betting and the online partners of both types of gambling outlets won $422 million from gamblers in April, up 20% from a year earlier. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry)


By WAYNE PARRY

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — For people and groups planning to stay in Atlantic City, the resort’s main union for casino workers is warning that “labor disputes” could occur if the casinos don’t agree to new contracts by a May 31 deadline.

The move comes at the start of what will be a crucial season for Atlantic City’s casinos in the third year of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The union’s goal is to keep workers from falling behind in an economy where labor shortages are increasing salaries in other industries, yet inflation is eating away at consumers’ purchasing power. Earlier this month, the union said it is seeking “significant” wage increases in the upcoming contracts to help its members recover from the financial harm caused by the pandemic. It did not specify the amount of increase it is seeking.

Local 54 of the Unite Here union set up the website actravelalert.org listing other hotels that have union contracts in place and which travelers might want to consider using if new contracts aren’t reached or existing ones extended.

FULL story: https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-9516ab9b07ee5fabecbf3509d30f50fe