Advisory: NJ Elected Officials, Allies from Across Region to Join Workers at March and Rally to Fight for Middle Class Jobs

Trump Taj Mahal Strikers to Billionaire Investor Carl Icahn: “Stop Destroying Our Livelihoods”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, July 21, 2016
CONTACT: Diana Hussein, dhussein@unitehere.org, 313-460-3119


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UNITE HERE Local 54 Announces 6 Hour Temporary Suspension of Picketing at Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City

UNITE HERE Local 54 Announces 6 Hour Temporary Suspension of Picketing at Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City

esau

Esau Ivan Madrid 1953-2016

(Atlantic City, NJ)—Local 54 is announcing it will temporarily suspend picketing at the Trump Taj Mahal on Tuesday July 19 from the hours of 10am-4pm to give striking workers the opportunity to attend memorial services for fellow striker Esau Ivan Madrid, who passed away Thursday evening at the age of 62.

Our fallen brother Esau Ivan Madrid worked at the Trump Taj Mahal for 17 years as a dishwasher in the cafeteria. Mr. Madrid is survived by a son and a daughter, nine brothers and sisters, and many nieces and nephews. Esau’s sister Alba Madrid Torres is also on strike at the Trump Taj Mahal. Esau had a health condition which required regular medical attention, which was unaffordable to him after the Trump Taj Mahal took away healthcare 20 months ago. Mr. Madrid will be remembered by his coworkers as a fighter for justice and healthcare for all workers.

“We are all deeply saddened by the passing of our brother. On behalf of Local 54 we extend our condolences to Esau’s family. May God comfort you in your grief. I can think of no greater tribute to Esau than to bring healthcare to those who need it most,” said Donna DeCaprio, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 54.

Even though there will be no picketing during those hours, the workers at the Trump Taj Mahal are still on strike, and Local 54 still encourages visitors to Atlantic City to patronize any other casino in Atlantic City.

The family and Local 54 requests no media at the services, and Local 54 will have no further comment on Mr. Madrid’s passing.

Tropicana ratification results: 99% voted to ratify today!

This comes on the heels of Caesars, Bally’s and Harrah’s ratification earlier this week, making the Trump Taj Mahal the only casino in Atlantic City refusing to negotiate a fair contract with it’s workers. Read more

UNITE HERE Local 54 President Bob McDevitt Statement on Taj Mahal Letter

Bob McDevitt, President, UNITE HERE Local 54:

“This company took healthcare off the table 20 months ago. Can you imagine what it is like to work in this city—to spend your days doing the backbreaking work of cleaning hotel rooms or walking all over the casino floor serving drinks in high heels—without health insurance? To worry about how you’ll afford a trip to the doctor if your child gets sick? These workers have been without healthcare for almost 2 years because of this company, and now, 1/3 have no insurance and another 50% rely on taxpayer subsidized health care. Their average compensation was cut by over one-third, and then, to rub their noses in it, this company offered them health insurance that was essentially half of what every other property agreed to, including the Taj’s sister casino. These workers want to know why it is okay for Trop workers to be able to go to the doctor, but not them. The company continually holds up the Trop as an example of a property that was doing poorly and is now doing well. At no point did the Tropicana propose eliminating health benefits for the workers. Why is the Taj different? We have said from the outset that the Taj would never be profitable unless it partnered with the union. Part of the reason that the property continues to do poorly is BECAUSE of how it has treated its workforce.”

TAJ STRIKE UPDATE: Statement From Bob McDevitt, President of Unite Here Local 54, On Visit of Presumptive Democratic Presidential Nominee Hillary Clinton

Statement From Bob McDevitt, President of Unite Here Local 54, On Visit of Presumptive Democratic Presidential Nominee Hillary Clinton

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, July 6, 2016

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BREAKING: Trump Taj Mahal Workers on Strike

header**Trump Taj Mahal Workers Strike: 6 am**

Trump Taj Mahal Workers on Strike

Taj Mahal Lone Holdout after Other Casinos Reach Agreement with Underpaid Housekeepers, Servers

Atlantic City – Last night contract negotiations with the Trump Taj Mahal failed to reach an agreement that the negotiating committee could recommend to the membership. As a result, nearly a thousand cooks, housekeepers, bellmen and servers from the Trump Taj Mahal will walk off the job this morning ahead of the industry’s biggest holiday weekend to fight for decent wages, basic benefits, and the future of their middle class livelihoods.   

For more information, contact:
Ben Begleiter, bbegleiter@unitehere.org, 203-668-6676
Diana Hussein, dhussein@unitehere.org, 313-460-3119 

Reporters interested in in-person interviews should meet Ben or Diana at the Boardwalk behind Taj Mahal.

 

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UPDATED: Tentative Contract Agreement with Caesars Atlantic City Properties and Tropicana; Taj Mahal still under July 1 deadline.

UPDATED: UNITE HERE Local 54 Announces Tentative Contract Agreement with Caesars Entertainment’s Atlantic City Properties, as well as the Tropicana. Taj Mahal still until July 1 deadline.

PRESS RELEASE: Atlantic City Casino Workers: Little Progress in Contract Negotiations, as 6,000 Servers & Housekeepers Continue Preparations to Strike July 1

Underpaid Atlantic City casino workers said today that they’re angry by the lack of progress in contract negotiations with Caesars, Bally’s, Harrah’s, Tropicana, and Trump Taj Mahal, and announced an emergency strike captain training tomorrow ahead of their July 1st strike deadline.

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