Caesars Palace dealers ratify first contract

Casino dealers at Caesars Palace have ratified their first collective bargaining deal, giving the Transport Workers Union its second contract at a Strip property.

The Caesars contract, representing about 500 dealers, was approved Thursday by 89 percent of dealers participating in the election. Approval of the 8½- year contract was expected after union leaders and management agreed to it on July 11.

"We look forward to working with all of our union partners to continue providing great services to our customers," Gary Thompson, a spokesman with Caesars Entertainment Corp. said Friday.

In a statement, the TWU said the "breakthrough labor contract" includes job security, seniority rights, and continuation of Caesars-paid health benefits and other workplace protections.

"We achieved the workplace protections and professional standards that casino dealers were looking for when they organized a union in the first place," TWU Gaming Director Joe Carbon said in a statement. "We won seniority rights, there will be no more dismissal without due process, and we protected wages and health care benefits for our members."