NLRB Orders Trump Plaza to Bargain With UAW

by James Parks, Sep 4, 2008

More than 18 months after they voted for a union, dealers at Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, N.J., were once again vindicated in their struggle for a union contract. The National Labor Relations Board (NRLB) last week found that Trump Plaza engaged in unfair labor practices by refusing to bargain with the UAW after the union was certified to represent the casino’s dealers.   

The dealers at Trump Plaza voted by a 2-1 margin for the union on March 31, 2007. But the company filed objections, claiming statements of support by federal, state and local elected officials tainted the vote. The casino also claimed the NLRB, which has only two members, did not have a quorum when it certified the union.   

 The NLRB ordered Trump Plaza to bargain with UAW and to stop interfering, restraining or coercing employees who are exercising their freedom to form a union and collectively bargain. What UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said in May when the union was certified is even more pertinent today:  

Management’s efforts to prevent workers from exercising their legal rights have failed. It’s way past time for them to come to the bargaining table and negotiate in good faith with the union. 

Since March 2007, more than 5,000 casino dealers, slot machine technicians and others have voted overwhelmingly to join the UAW in six union representation elections at four major Atlantic City casinos—Caesars, Trump Plaza, Bally’s and Tropicana. Yet casino owners continue to delay and stall negotiations. Bally’s and Tropicana also face possible charges from the NLRB for refusal to bargain.

Be sure to check out the Fair Deal for All Atlantic City Workers website here for the latest news about the Atlantic City casino workers.

If the Employee Free Choice Act had already been enacted, the Trump Plaza workers could have avoided this long wait for justice because the legislation would establish stronger penalties for violation of employee rights when workers seek to form a union and requires arbitration when an employer won’t bargain a contract.

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