Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Joins Neighboring State Labor Federations, Local Labor Federations and Unions in Calling on Revel to Agree to Fair Unionization Process

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 18, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President Rick Bloomingdale joined other State and Local AFL-CIO leaders in supporting the proposal by three affiliated labor unions to achieve labor peace and a fair process for unionization at the new Revel Casino in Atlantic City. The coalition of unions include: the United Automobile Workers; International Brotherhood of Teamsters; and UNITE HERE!

President Bloomingdale stated, "We fully support the gaming and service workers in fulfilling their right to form a union at Revel. This is a top priority for all of us and we are going to do everything we can to support these workers."

"Revel is a property which was built with $261 million in taxpayer subsidies which were not provided for the sole benefit of Revel Casino but for the mutual benefit of the community, the casino industry, workers, and their families. However, the jobs at Revel are not the source of shared prosperity and mutual benefit to the community," Bloomingdale observed.

"Close to 40 percent of Revel's employees are part-time, having either no benefits or inadequate benefits. These are not jobs that anyone can live on and support a family.  Additionally, Revel is the first casino requiring their employees to reapply for their jobs every four years in competition with the general public. In these uncertain times, families need stability and decent paying jobs not the fear of losing your job every four years. Our communities benefit from good employers who want to invest in their workers who live in the local community and promote stability and growth," Bloomingdale declared.

Since the advent of gaming in Atlantic City, President Charles Wowkanech of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO has proven to be a loyal and strategic partner with the casino industry which has frequently called on New Jersey State AFL-CIO to assist in passing legislation to keep Atlantic City competitive and profitable. This includes 24 hour gaming, the new convention center, the expansion of slot machine gaming space, and Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) tax credits. "Just as workers understand the need for casinos to be successful, casinos must realize that their success depends on creating good jobs which sustain the middle class. We support President Wowkanech and the New Jersey State AFL-CIO, efforts in protecting and creating good jobs for New Jersey's working families," Bloomingdale said.

"We will continue to aid the organizing campaign at Revel in every way we can and we will continue to encourage and alert our affiliates and community members to patronize Union Casinos and to avoid holding conventions, conferences, meetings or banquets at Revel," Bloomingdale said.

SOURCE Pennsylvania AFL-CIO

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