ATLANTIC CITY, NJ—As Atlantic City revenues reached record highs in March, the city’s largest union Local 54 of UNITE-HERE reached its very first contract with the Hard Rock Casino.
“Nearly 1,780 employees from the casino property are now members of Unite Here Local 54 after 99.6% of eligible workers voted in favor of a contract,” reported the Press of Atlantic City.
The contract concludes a lengthy saga of the property once known as the Trump Taj Mahal–which originally opened in 1990 under the ownership of Donald Trump.
Since its original opening, the property has had numerous financial difficulties, placing it into bankruptcy more than once.
In 2016 billionaire investor Carl Icahn invested in the property but soon became mired in a labor battle with Local 54 that eventually led to Icahn closing the property entirely and 3,000 employees losing their jobs.
In 2017, the Seminole Tribe of Florida—which owns the Hard Rock Cafe franchise—purchased the property and opened the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City in June 2018.
Jim Allen, chairman and CEO of Hard Rock International, told the Press of Atlantic City that the company had a goal when it acquired the Boardwalk property two years ago of developing “positive and productive relationships with our organized partners, and I am pleased that we have achieved this objective.”
“The agreement validates the thoughtful compromise and diligent efforts of both sides to benefit Hard Rock, the team members and guests,” said Allen. “We appreciate that the union leadership and the employee bargaining committee understood the Hard Rock brand and need of the company in this agreement. With all of the talented team members’ support, we will continue to move Hard Rock Atlantic City forward to create exceptional experiences for our guests.”
