1,000 Trump Taj Mahal Workers Go on Strike

Photo | Dan McQuade

Trump Taj Mahal workers walked out at 6 a.m. this morning, striking before the busy holiday weekend after their union was not able to reach a contract agreement.

Workers with UNITE HERE Local 54, who threatened to strike at five casinos earlier this week, reached agreements with Caesars Entertainment (Caesars, Bally’s and Harrah’s) and the Tropicana yesterday. They were not able to come to an agreement with the Taj, and announced a strike early this morning.

“For 20 months, 1,000 loyal Taj Mahal employees have been fighting to restore the middle class jobs that were destroyed in the bankruptcy,” said Fabia Sespedes, a housekeeper at the Taj Mahal for the last nine years. “Today, we said enough is enough, and went on strike for a restoration of health benefits and fair wages and working conditions.”

UNITE HERE says “many workers” at the Taj have received only 80 cents in total raises over the last 12 years. Donald Trump only owns a tiny share of the Trump Taj Mahal; it is now owned by a subsidiary of Icahn Enterprises, billionaire Carl Icahn‘s company. Icahn also owns the Tropicana, which reached a deal with the union yesterday.

“We have said from the beginning that it is impossible to revitalize Atlantic City unless the casino industry offers good jobs that let workers support their families,” said Bob McDevitt, president of UNITE HERE Local 54. “Four other casinos have recognized that simple fact, and it’s a shame that the Trump Taj Mahal can’t get with the program.”

UNITE HERE represents nearly all uniformed workers at Atlantic City’s casinos, with the exception of security, cage cashiers and dealers. The Trump Taj has about 1,000 workers who walked off the job this morning.

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