The emphasis on higher wages represents a switch for the union, which over the decades has prioritized comprehensive health insurance and pensions over big pay raises, McDevitt said. The union also plans to address what it says is a shortage of key workers at the casino resorts, including housekeepers, a job that McDevitt said has at least 500 openings in the city. He said his casino and others realize higher wages are needed to attract new employees and retain existing ones.īill Callahan, general manager of the Ocean Casino, said he is “hopeful to have a ratified agreement in the upcoming days” that will result in wage increases for many employees.Įxecutives of four other casinos did not respond to requests for comment. “We just gave our employees raises before negotiations,” said Joe Lupo, Hard Rock's president. McDevitt, the union president, acknowledged many casinos have unilaterally increased pay for workers beyond the levels specified in existing contracts those extra payments average about 10% more than called for under the contract. “Raises have to happen across the board.”Īctually, they already are at many casinos. “I don't have a vehicle or a house - two things I need to bring stability to my family,” Mills said.

He is a single parent of children ages 3, 5 and 7 following the death of their mother last September, and is relying on his parents for help. Rodney Mills is a housekeeper at Tropicana, where he has worked for 30 years. They're making money, and we kept them going through the pandemic. Health care costs alone for my mom and kids are going way up. 'Everything is going up: gas, food, rent. “The wages are not what they should be,” said Negron, who lives in Egg Harbor Township, near Atlantic City. Janey Negron, a bartender at the Tropicana for 22 years, has five children and takes care of her mother as well.

But McDevitt said it needs to be enough to allow workers not only to keep pace with rising expenses, but to gain some ground and improve their situations. The union wouldn’t say how much of an increase it is seeking. Santa Claus is coming to these Philly-area malls.

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