Slot technicians at Caesars approve union representation

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newjersey/ny-bc-nj--casinos-unionizat0823aug23,0,945254.story

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - Slot technicians at Caesars Atlantic City casino have approved a bid to unionize.

The technicians voted 20-11 on Thursday to join the United Auto Workers, the union said.

"Workers are standing up for a voice in the workplace all across Atlantic City, and our union is excited to support their efforts," said Joe Ashton, director of UAW Region 9, which includes New Jersey.

Caesars issued a statement saying it recognized the technicians' wishes for union representation. "We look forward to building a strong relationship with their chosen representation as we negotiate on a collective bargaining agreement," the statement said.

The UAW recently began contract negotiations with Caesars on behalf of dealers at the Atlantic city casino, who voted in March to join the union.

The UAW has been pushing hard to organize workers at all of the city's 11 casinos. It has won elections at three gambling halls and lost at two others.

Dealers at the Tropicana Casino and Resort are scheduled to vote Saturday on joining the UAW, while cashiers at Caesars will make their decision on Sept. 1.