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ATLANTIC CITY - Dealers at Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino want to drop the United Auto Workers as their bargaining agent, a federal labor board official confirmed Wednesday.

At least 30 percent of dealers signed a petition to decertify the union, indicating a number of dealers no longer want to be organized by the union and that some UAW support, at least at Trump Plaza, may have eroded.

The petition also triggers the federal labor board to conduct a hearing and decide whether a new election should be held at the casino, said Dorothy Moore-Duncan, regional director of the National Labor Relations Board in Philadelphia.

Dealers would then have the chance to vote on whether or not they still want to be represented by the UAW.

Moore-Duncan declined to say exactly how many names were on the petition, which was filed Monday. She said that correspondence regarding the petition was sent to the UAW and Trump Entertainment Resorts Inc., which owns Trump Plaza.

A UAW spokesman could not be reached for comment late Wednesday.

Trump Entertainment spokesman Tom Hickey had no comment, other than to confirm a decertification request was made with the NLRB.

The Detroit-based UAW first held elections at Trump Plaza in March 2007, with dealers voting 324-149 to unionize. At the time, the casino wanted a new election, alleging the first one was tainted by a media event held days prior to the vote.

Since then, Trump Plaza has refused to bargain and is appealing a federal labor board ruling saying that it must. The appeal was filed in September 2008 in the U.S. Court of Appeals in the D.C. Circuit.

The appeal process would likely put a decertification election on hold or the federal labor board could decide to dismiss the decertification petition entirely, Moore-Duncan said.

"I haven't looked to see what impact the court case has on this," she added.

Beyond Trump Plaza, the UAW has been unable to secure first-ever contracts for dealers it represents at Bally's Atlantic City, Caesars Atlantic City and Tropicana Casino and Resort. The union hopes to improve wages, medical benefits and pensions.

Philip Harvey, a Rutgers University professor of economics and law who studies unions, said decertification by dealers would be a significant turning point for the UAW's organizing ability in Atlantic City.

"It's a sign that something's brewing and certainly not a good sign for the union," Harvey said. "It suggests that the tactics of the employer have been successful."

Trying to unionize dealers all over again also may prove difficult, Harvey added.

"It's an awful time for a union to try and be hanging tough," he said. "It's easy for employers to get the workers they want, and most people are just happy to be there."

Staff writer Donald Wittkowski contributed to this report.

E-mail Erik Ortiz:

EOrtiz@pressofac.com

20 comments:

• topdown (10) posts 12:24 am

  Dealers--- Bob McDevitt Local 54 President is not for us. He has constantly used his influence and power to stop a total smoking ban on the casino floor. He played a large part in casinos being exempted from the state wide smoking ban in 2006. He then goes back to his smoke free office where he breaths clean air as do all of the law makers that decide it is ok for us to be discriminated against; constitution be damned. If you want to continue to be exposed to the deadly dangers of second hand smoke while every other worker in the state is protected then he is your man.

• OperaDovi (5) posts 9:20 am

  As a union member at one of my jobs and a 4 time a year visitor of Atlantic City, I support the Dealer / workers efforts to unionize. Having said that they should get as far away as possible from the UAW!!! the UAW has helped kill every industry it has ever touched. they should try to get local 54 of the hotel workers, or even start there own union but not the UAW... The UAW is only trying to save it's butt after screwing the Auto workers and can no longer pay it's overpriced management.

• alniteworker (5) posts 11:40 pm

  I hope that the Dealers and Slot Techs hold together and defeat this attempt to bust your union. You have worked too hard, for so long, to give up now, and throw it all away.

• checkchange (9) posts 6:11 pm

  Any Atlantic City casino employee who no longer wants the UAW to represent them are entitled to seek an election to determine if a majorities of their coworkers want to drop the union. These elections, conducted by the NLRB, are known as decertification elections. If at least 30% of the identified workers in the casino sign the petition, it must be sent to the NLRB. Then the NLRB will set a date for the decertification election after a hearing. When the decertification election is held, if a majority of the workers vote in favor of decertifying the union, or if the vote results in a tie, then the NLRB will officially remove the union's recognition as the bargaining representative of the workers.

• TheTruth09 (3) posts 5:12 pm

  I have never read so much hyperbole in my life. Almost propaganda like. Let's see, AC Press staff writers write bad articles/press on Union for comps. I'd LOVE to have that investigated...nudge nudge/wink wink. Or is is it just that threats of advertisements being pulled have more weight over journalistic integrity? So let me get this straight....When Trump Plaza voted for the Union the AC Press stated 69 percent in favor of Union. The article did not state 31 percent voted no! So follow me brilliant Press reporters. Now 30% do not want union and you spew forth all the propaganda? If my math is correct, I'd say that the UAW picked up another 1 percent! But keep sucking on the teet of a company that keeps losing money afterall, if you were good journalist you'd be elsewhere by now. Not the AC Press!

• TheTruth09 (3) posts 5:09 pm

  I have never read so much hyperbole in my life. Almost propaganda like. Let's see, AC Press staff writers write bad articles/press on Union for comps. I'd LOVE to have that investigated...nudge nudge/wink wink. Or is is it just that threats of advertisements being pulled have more weight over journalistic integrity? So let me get this straight....When Trump Plaza voted for the Union the AC Press stated 69 percent in favor of Union. The article did not state 31 percent voted no! So follow me brilliant Press reporters. Now 30% do not want union and you spew forth all the propaganda? If my math is correct, I'd say that the UAW picked up another 1 percent! But keep sucking on the teet of a company that keeps losing money afterall, if you were good journalist you'd be elsewhere by now. Not the AC Press!

• contracts are good (1) posts 5:05 pm

  The Trump Plaza continues to break the law by not bargaining with the dealers. Trump Plaza lost an appeal in Philadelphia. Trump Plaza appealed again in Washington and lost. Then they appealed to the US District Courts. The dealers voted 70% to 30% for the UAW. Trump Plaza is now using the 30 % that originally voted against the Union to decertify. Which has now been ruled by the NLRB to be meritless. Trump Plaza does not recognize the first vote. Why would they recognize a second, third, fourth vote or more. Trump Plaza wants the dealers to keep on voting until they get the result they want. I guess Trump Plaza does not believe in our democratic system and all the soldiers that gave their lives for our freedom to vote and have that vote heard. Trump Plaza please come back to America.

• Union_Thug (4) posts 4:28 pm

  This article is further evidence (as if it were needed) that Mr. Ortiz redides firmly entrenched within the confines of Corporate's pockets. Since TP, (and Bally's/HORRah's for that matter) has refused to recognize the UAW as the dealers' bargaining rep, this de-cert petition, if it even exists, is ILLEGAL, and as Vinnie stated, WILL BE SQUASHED. One wonders if, when that does happen, it will find it's way to the Press' FRONT PAGE, as this did. I sincerely doubt it. Thanks for "mutton", Mr. Ortiz, and keep up the BAD work!

• LEFTY56 (0) posts 3:26 pm

  WHY DOES THE COMPANY LIKE TRUMP PLAZA KEEP ON TRYING TO DECERT THE U.A.W.? WHY DON'T THEY WANT TO SIT DOWN WITH THEM AND NEGOTIATE A CONTRACT. WHY CAN'T THEY ACCEPT THAT THEY LOST THE ELECTION AND DO THE RIGHT THING WITH THE DEALERS.THIS IS THE REASON WHY WE NEED TO PASS THE EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT NOW, BECAUSE CORPORATIONS LIKE TRUMP PLAZA COULD STOP HARRASSING THEIR EMPLOYEES WITH THREATS.

• Scottieinthebox (1) posts 3:01 pm

  The dealers of the Trump Plaza are more united than you would ever imagine. The article proves that any misinformed individual can foolishly waste their time trying to decertify an election that his own company is contesting. The National Labor Relations Board has already found this individual's petition to be meritless. The only things that this individual has accomplished is that he has absolutely no idea how to perform a decertification, and that he has no respect for his fellow workers who, by the way, voted 324 to 149 for the UAW to represent the dealers of the Trump Plaza. We all did this while HE was on medical leave. In his defense, as an employee who was not at work for the union organizing drive and as an employee who did not even vote in the union election, he is more than likely to terribly misinformed that he really needs someone to explain to him what the UAW has done for the dealers at the Trump Plaza, the Tropicana, Caesers, and Ballys. Someone should also remind him what happend to the Trump Marina and the Hilton after they voted no to union organization. I feel bad for this man, but I am happy that his lack of respect for his fellow employees and their decision to unionize has only brought my workforce together. I would like to thank him for this. WE are patient. WE are confident. WE are right. Please, come join us! Oh, that's right. You already have.

• DOUG (1) posts 2:50 pm

  The dealers at Trump Plaza frustrated with managment because they refuse to bargain a contract with us. We are the UAW . We are the MAJORITY.

• vinnie (1) posts 2:49 pm

  what is the truth, was this another attempt to discredit our union, knowing that this dcertification petition has no legal right to even been started since we have not started negotiating a contract. to put this on the front page, as everyone will see this petition will be squashed. but is there other motives involved. is this a cover to see if they think they will enough people that might vote no for a strike vote. now they might feel conifident enough to layoff their floorpeople. that they otherwise would utilize if we did strike. some people say we should use go with local 54. well i went to Bobby McDevitt Local 54 President and I told him about the power %$ would have with the front of the house and the back of the house in each Casino. Bobby McDevitt said to me he couldnt do it red tapre beauracracy ect. Told me and gave me the number of the UAW in Detroit Michigan so I called the UAW and this is where we are at today and hopefully with the Dealers standing together we can get the contract that will protect our jobs and our future.

• localboy (14) posts 2:36 pm

  you heard it here first.the NLRB will not allow this decertification as it's an illegal move.argue all you want,it's just a fact that will take months to become public news.a few sheep who like being slaughtered are behind this.

• Mush123 (1) posts 2:34 pm

  The management has done nothing but fight against our vote for the union, we voted by a majority to have the UAW represent the dealers at the Trump Plaza. Now, over two years later we are still waiting for them to negotiate a contract.

• layoffvictim08 (17) posts 2:01 pm

  It wouldn't surprise me if dealers and technicians from other casinos like Ballys and Caesars follow the same course of action in the next few months. The UAW has been a dissappoint so far and have proven that they don't have enough support as a whole to take on corporate management in A.C. They could easily collapse and be sent back to Detroit if a contract is done soon. All of these billboards from Philly to the Central Pier on the Boardwalk are not the answer to this situation..a waste of money. The waiting game has gone beyond two years, kinda like watching paint dry on a wall. They've voted to authorize a Strike recently, but apparently are too chicken to put on a show other than a little parade around Brighton Park. Whoopdeedoo! The poor, miserable casino workers...all they want is respect, a good paying job and benefits, and for goodness sakes...be able to keep up with inflation/be able to afford to stay and live in this area. They just want things the way they used to be from 10-15 years ago and beyond, when the times were great. The employees don't know who to turn to anymore! They are in a "I don't care what happens" mode! They are stuck between a rock and a hard place and are just sick and tired of the B.S. and the direction the industry has taken lately. If they stay non-union, they know for sure they will continue to be eatin alive by Corporate Greed. My only suggestion would be to join the local unions or Local 54 where they seem to have much more leverage and respect. And memo to those that are anti-union: ALL UNIONS HAVE UNION DUES. THAT'S HOW UNIONS RUN! Do the math! I'd rather pay 2% dues making $20 an hour union pay than make $15 an hour nonunion pay. And don't forget, unions provide legal protection too as with nonunions...you're defenseless and on your own!!!

• dave202 (53) posts 1:49 pm

  Great move by the Trump dealers. Management has gotten the message. You don't need a union. And if you somehow believe you do, next time pick Local 54, a union that KNOWS about the gaming industry and its special circumstances, not the UAW, which is only trying to survive after destroying the jobs of its members by its ridiculous demands!

• Bobstake (224) posts 12:39 pm

  Get rid of the UAW! Bring business back into town and save the jobs.

• TheTruthHurts (59) posts 11:21 am

  Casino Dealers, put this image in your heads like Sheep to slaughter..........

• American_Gaming_Guru (128) posts 9:31 am

  BRAVO to the Trump Plaza dealers! The UAW wants nothing more than your dues to replenish their bank accounts which has run dry since the auto workers they used to represent are no longer employed! They ran Detroit into the ground and now are looking to do the same to AC. There was once a time and place for unions in American history. Those times are long gone. Companies, employees and communities must look to work together in order to compete on a global stage again. Learn from the mistakes that led to the failure of the American auto industry and make AC a relevant player again!

• zebra2 (86) posts 9:26 am

  This is great news for the workers of atlantic city! UAW is just about dead in AC.

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