Posted on: March 10, 2023, 11:52h.
Final up to date on: March 10, 2023, 03:16h.
Probably the most highly effective people within the Atlantic Metropolis on line casino business is stepping down from his union management function after greater than 1 / 4 of a century.
Bob McDevitt has led the Unite Right here Native 54 union in Atlantic Metropolis for the previous 26 years. As president of the commerce group, McDevitt has lobbied state lawmakers in Trenton and native authorities officers on behalf of on line casino resort housekeepers, bartenders, cocktail servers, cooks, bellmen, and doormen. Unite Right here doesn’t signify gaming staff like desk recreation sellers and slot techs.
McDevitt, who skilled a critical well being scare in 2021 that nearly claimed his life, says the time is correct for him to go away the union he’s passionately led since 1997.
As I replicate on my time as president, I’m humbled by the dedication and dedication of our members. Every certainly one of you has contributed to the success, progress, and survival of our union and I’m proud to have labored alongside such a passionate and hard-working group of people,” McDevitt mentioned in a press release.
McDevitt touted his management as bringing increased wages and advantages to union members, advocating for essential causes, and reaching shared targets in Atlantic Metropolis.
McDevitt mentioned his resignation is efficient Might 1, at which era he’ll transition to grow to be chairman of the Unite Right here Retirement Fund. Headquartered in New York Metropolis, Unite Here’s a nationwide labor union targeted on the lodge, meals, laundry, warehouse, and on line casino sectors. The union counts about 300K energetic members.
McDevitt, Icahn Butt Heads
McDevitt’s tenure was partially highlighted by the union chief’s unwillingness to provide in to billionaire Carl Icahn’s calls for.
In the present day, the company raider, value an estimated $18 billion, acquired the bankrupt Trump Taj Mahal in 2014. Icahn used chapter legal guidelines to scale back or halt sure worker advantages however promised to return compensation as soon as the struggling on line casino’s funds have been circled.
McDevitt initiated a employee strike in 2016 when Icahn didn’t comply with by means of on that pledge. As a substitute of investing within the Boardwalk resort, Icahn shopped the property however didn’t discover a purchaser.
Trump Taj Mahal staff walked off the job in August 2016. Icahn mentioned on the time he was dropping about $100 million a 12 months protecting the on line casino open, and until the continuing decreased advantages continued, the on line casino would want to shut completely.
McDevitt, not swayed by Icahn, held regular. Icahn didn’t mince phrases when discussing his private emotions in regards to the union chief.
The perfect factor that might occur for Atlantic Metropolis can be for McDevitt to go away, and I’d fortunately purchase him a one-way aircraft ticket and pay his shifting bills,” Icahn acknowledged in 2016, including that McDevitt selected to “burn the Trump Taj Mahal down.”
McDevitt mentioned Icahn wasn’t considering caring for Atlantic Metropolis on line casino staff, however solely his private checking account.
“Carl Icahn has taken a whole lot of hundreds of thousands of {dollars} out of Atlantic Metropolis,” McDevitt countered. “It has been nothing however the standard ‘my manner or the freeway’ from Carl Icahn. That’s not making an attempt to achieve an settlement — that’s punishing working individuals for standing as much as injustice.”
Icahn finally bought the closed Taj to Laborious Rock Worldwide in 2017 for simply $50 million.
Exit Comes at Vital Time
McDevitt’s departure as chief of Unite Right here’s Native 54 chapter comes as Atlantic Metropolis casinos proceed to get better from the pandemic and function with way more competitors all through the Northeast. Ongoing financial considerations additionally cloud the native gaming business’s outlook.
One other key problem dealing with Atlantic Metropolis is the continuing prevalence of indoor on line casino smoking. McDevitt says it’s not the time to think about a smoking ban when casinos in close by Philadelphia nonetheless allow indoor smoking.
