This Labor Day, river boat casino workers, allies protest Majestic Star Casino

Casino workers have been without a contract for a year

[Gary, IN] – Labor Day is the celebration of the incredible contributions and hard work of working people in the United States. Today, September 2, in honor of Labor Day, workers from Majestic Star Casino are protesting the casino for a fair contract. The collective bargaining agreement covering around 300 Majestic Star workers expired on October 31, 2012.

Casinos like the Majestic Star were approved by political leaders based on the promise they would bring stable jobs to hard-hit areas like Northwest Indiana. Workers at the Majestic Star receive low-cost, high quality healthcare, which is free for individuals and only $30 a month for families. Workers haven’t had raises since 2011.

“We just want decent wages and to keep our benefits intact for our families,” said Jeri Elliot, Majestic Star housekeeper for 13 years. “Unions built this region, and we’re going to continue to fight to make this region stronger.”

Hundreds of casino workers from Ameristar and Blue Chip casinos, and Chicago hotel workers, lunchroom workers and airport workers who are members of UNITE HERE Local 1 are joining Majestic Star workers to stand together to keep the middle class intact in Northwest Indiana.

On August 20, 2013 a delegation of Majestic Star workers visited the office Cezar “Cid” Froelich, who sits Board of Managers governing Majestic Holdco, which owns the casino, to ask him to ensure that the jobs at the casino stay good, family-supporting jobs.

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UNITE HERE Local 1 represents approximately 15,000 hospitality workers and casino workers in the Chicago area and Northwest Indiana.