Tropicana dealers vote to authorize strike in Atlantic City

[Earth Bound Misfit]

http://www.uaw.org/news/newsarticle.cfm?ArtId=526

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- An overwhelming majority of casino dealers at Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City, members of the UAW/AC Dealers union, have voted to go on strike if they are unable to reach a first contract agreement with their employer.

Ninety-seven percent of dealers voted in favor of strike authorization during balloting which took place Friday and Saturday at the UAW/AC Dealers union hall in Atlantic City.

"Today's vote means we're ready," said Ernestine Dawkins, a Tropicana dealer who is a member of the elected UAW/AC Dealers union bargaining committee at Tropicana. "We're ready to take action to win the contract we deserve."

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"Waiting 18 months to get a contract, that's just unacceptable," said Al Welenc, a Tropicana dealer who is also an elected member of the union bargaining committee. "We certainly hope a strike isn't necessary, but our members sent a very clear message today: It's time for management to quit stalling and meet us halfway at the bargaining table."

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Tropicana Resorts and Casino is currently operated under the supervision of former New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Gary Stein, who was appointed as conservator in December 2007, when the previous management lost its casino license. Judge Stein is compensated at the rate of $600 per hour for his services as conservator.

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"The deadline is now. Right now," said UAW Secretary-Treasurer Elizabeth Bunn, who directs the union's Technical, Office and Professional (TOP) Organizing Department. "Every day of delay in reaching a first contract is a day that workers at Tropicana are without the representation they voted for in 2007. That's wrong -- and our union is going to stand behind AC Dealers to make it right."

Tropicana dealers now stand united with the Tropicana Slot Technicians who voted by an overwhelming 91 percent for a strike authorization vote earlier this month.



:applause: :headbang: