August 24, 2015
Casino workers are preparing for a strike against the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, demanding the restoration of health insurance benefits and pensions.
It will be the union's first strike against a casino since 2004, the Associated Press reported. The union, UNITE HERE Local 54, has filled a trailer with supplies for the strike, such as marching band drums, food and water and a giant inflatable rat.
Who’s got a #Pod? We do! #Strike prep supplies have to go somewhere! Taj workers ready for strike! @trumpcasinos pic.twitter.com/cSuMhFHIHq
— Jeremy Pollard (@kirondineer) August 3, 2015
Trump Entertainment Resorts wants workers to have a $2,000 health care credit instead of a full plan and 401(k)s instead of pensions. A federal bankruptcy judge sided with Trump Entertainment in October, and now both sides are waiting for an appeals court to issue a ruling on the benefits.
Billionaire Carl Icahn, who is in the process of acquiring Trump Resorts from bankruptcy court, said the union's demands are unsustainable. He said that he will cancel his planned investment of $100 million and force the Taj Mahal to close if benefits are restored.
