The Atlantic City casino workers have been pushing for a complete ban on indoor smoking at their workplaces, but their efforts have been unsuccessful so far. Despite legal and legislative attempts, they have not been able to close the loophole that allows smoking on 25% of the gaming floor. This has led to dissatisfaction among the workers, especially towards Donna DeCaprio, the leader of Local 54 of Unite Here, a union representing 10,000 members.
Ray Jensen, the assistant director of United Auto Workers (UAW) Region 9, has called for DeCaprio to resign, accusing her of being influenced by tobacco companies. DeCaprio believes that implementing a ban on indoor smoking would result in thousands of job losses, as a significant portion of the casinos’ revenue comes from smoking gaming sections. She argues that the UAW is willing to jeopardize the entire casino industry and put 25,000 jobs with benefits at risk.
In response to the ongoing debate, Casino Employees Against Smoking’s Effects (CEASE) has initiated fresh legal action. They have appealed an August ruling that upheld the 25% smoking rule in the state’s nine casinos. The union is advocating for a more balanced approach that protects both the workers and the industry as a whole.
Overall, the conflict between the casino workers and union leaders highlights the challenges of regulating indoor smoking in the gaming industry. While some believe that a ban would improve the health and safety of workers and patrons, others argue that it could have detrimental effects on the economy and employment opportunities. The ongoing legal battle and calls for resignation demonstrate the complexity of addressing this contentious issue.