Menendez, members of Congress to Join Labor Rally in Atlantic City
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Media advisory Contact: Katrina Blomdahl, Cell: 202-538-1853
Menendez, members of Congress to join June 21 labor rally in Atlantic City
Atlantic City — U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D- NJ) of New Jersey will march with Atlantic City casino workers on Saturday, June 21 to support their fight for a fair contract.
Menendez will be joined by a bipartisan group of elected officials, including Rep. Joe Baca (D-CA) , chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, as well as four members of the New Jersey Congressional delegation: Rep. Rob Andrews (D- NJ-1), Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ-2), Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ-8), and Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ-4).
"We're glad to see elected and community leaders come out to support casino workers, who are fighting for simple justice," said UAW President Ron Gettelfinger. "Our rally on June 21 will send a powerful message: that it's time to bargain fair contracts for all Atlantic City casino workers."
"I'll be in Atlantic City on June 21, along with working men and women from throughout the country," because the freedom to form a union and bargain is the single most important ticket to the middle class for working men and women," said AFL-CIO President John Sweeney.
Since March 2007, casino dealers, slot technicians, keno and simulcast workers have organized and won six union representation elections at four major Atlantic City casinos: Caesars, Trump Plaza, Bally's and Tropicana.
Casino workers, who are members of UAW/AC Dealers, have also successfully lobbied for the first-ever comprehensive smoking ban in a casino community, and have joined with their co-workers to advocate for workers' rights on the casino floor.
However, despite overwhelming pro-union majorities and elections that have been recognized by the National Labor Relations Board, casino operators have repeatedly stalled contract talks, or refused to come to the table at all. None of the workers who voted for union representation has a union contract -- yet.
Union members and supporters will arrive in Atlantic City by bus on Saturday June 21 from Buffalo, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Vermont, Massachusetts, Harrisburg, Indiana, Long Island, New York City, Philadelphia, Scranton, Syracuse, Westchester and other locations.
The labor rally and march will begin at noon at Delaware and Pacific avenues in downtown Atlantic City. Further details about the rally -- including travel directions and information about bus rides -- are available at www.June21ACrally.org.
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