Casino employees at Horseshoe Casino Indianapolis have successfully unionized by joining Teamsters Local 135, marking a significant victory after weeks of delay.
The Casino Workers Secured Teamsters Local 135 Representation
Initially, the casino’s 200 employees were slated to vote on joining the Teamsters on October 17. However, the unionization efforts at Horseshoe Casino Indianapolis were delayed due to the record 43-day USA government shutdown. Caesars Entertainment, the property’s operator, refused to allow a third-party auditor to oversee the vote, leading workers at the Shelbyville property to strike, pressuring Caesars to recognize the union.
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) eventually intervened and counted the votes, with the majority in favor of joining the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
Teamsters Local 135 promised to advocate for better wages, tip pooling, and security for its new members. Teamsters Local 135 represents approximately 12,000 casino, construction, freight, warehousing, and airline workers.
Workers Were Displeased with Caesars’ Pushback
Horseshoe Casino Indianapolis workers celebrated the outcome, with Dakota Massman, a table games dealer, stating the strike highlighted the power workers can wield. Massman criticized Caesars’ attempts to prevent unionization but was pleased that the company ultimately failed.
Dustin Roach, president of Local 135, also criticized Caesars Entertainment’s handling of the process and commended the workers’ determination, promising to bring the same passion to contract negotiations for Horseshoe Casino Indianapolis workers.
Tommy Blitsch, director of the Teamsters Convention, Trade Show, and Casino Division, praised the employees’ perseverance as inspiring, stating: “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.”
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- Source: SCCGManagement.com