Atlantic City union rallies for new casino contract

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- Shouting "Negotiate!" as they made their way through the streets, about 3,000 newly unionized casino workers and their supporters staged a rally Saturday aimed at pressuring Atlantic City casinos to agree to new contracts.

The marchers, angry over the lack of progress in talks with the gambling halls on what would be the resort's first union contracts for dealers, waved signs and chanted slogans as they walked past the major casinos. Police had cordoned off a few blocks for the protest, which lasted more than three hours.

Since the United Auto Workers started a major push to unionize dealers at all 11 Atlantic City casinos 15 months ago, it won representation elections at four casinos -- Caesars, Trump Plaza, the Tropicana Casino and Resort, and Bally's Atlantic City. It lost elections at Trump Marina Hotel Casino and the Atlantic City Hilton Casino Resort.

But officials say winning representation elections was the easy part; getting management to agree to and sign a contract has proven impossible thus far.

Among those taking part in the rally were UAW President Ron Gettelfinger; AFL-CIO President John Sweeney and Charlie Wowkanech, leader of the group's New Jersey chapter, along with officials from several national unions. Gov. Jon S. Corzine, U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez and some members of the state's Congressional delegation, Frank LoBiondo, Rob Andrews, Chris Smith and Bill Pascrell, also attended.