Casino employees at Horseshoe Casino Indianapolis have successfully formed a union, joining Teamsters Local 135. This achievement is a major win for the pro-union workers after weeks of setbacks.
The Casino Workers Secured Teamsters Local 135 Representation
Initially, the casino’s 200 employees were due to vote on joining the Teamsters on October 17. However, the unionization process at Horseshoe Casino Indianapolis was delayed due to the record 43-day USA government shutdown. Caesars Entertainment, the property’s operator, refused a third-party auditor for the union vote, leading the Shelbyville property workers to go on strike, pressuring Caesars to acknowledge the union.
The situation eventually led to intervention by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which counted the votes. A majority voted to join the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
Teamsters Local 135 promised to negotiate for higher wages, tip pooling, and security for its new members. Teamsters Local 135 represents approximately 12,000 employees in the casino, construction, freight, warehousing, and airline sectors.
Workers Were Displeased with Caesars’ Pushback
The victory was celebrated by Horseshoe Casino Indianapolis workers, with Dakota Massman, a table games dealer, stating that the strike demonstrated the power of workers. Massman was dissatisfied with Caesars’ efforts to prevent unionization but was ultimately pleased with the outcome against the company.
Dustin Roach, Local 135’s president, also criticized Caesars Entertainment’s handling of the process. He commended the workers’ determination and promised to bring the same vigor to negotiate Horseshoe Casino Indianapolis workers’ first contract.
Tommy Blitsch, director of the Teamsters Convention, Trade Show, and Casino Division, praised the steadfastness of the Horseshoe Casino Indianapolis employees.
He stated: “Our union made it clear to Horseshoe from the start that there was only one way this strike was ending, and that’s with Teamsters representation.”
- SCCG Management. The Gambling Industry’s Global Connector. Access Here.
- Source: SCCGManagement.com