Some 800 Unite Here Local 54 employees at Ocean Casino Resort agreed July 30 on an interim contract as discussions continue on a long-term deal. The contract took effect August 1, according to the Press of Atlantic City.
What this agreement offers is protection for contract and successorship, grievance and arbitration, and healthcare, Donna DeCaprio, the financial secretary treasurer for Local 54, said on Monday. “The contract was ratified by 99.7 percent, so all of the workers were very pleased to get their health care and the other core values.”
The temporary agreement expires December 31. Both sides expect to complete a final contract prior to the end of the year.
“We appreciate Local 54’s readiness to work together on an interim agreement. Ocean has a long-term commitment to our team members and community,” Terry Glebocki, chief executive officer of Ocean, said in a statement Monday.
It was difficulties in negotiating with Local 54 that partially led to the demise of Revel, Ocean’s predecessor. The union demanded that Revel include even businesses it didn’t own or operate in its membership drive, but Revel resisted.
In related news, Ocean and Bally’s Atlantic City plan to build beach bars, and concert venues on the beachfront in the summer.
In the early days of Atlantic City’s casino industry, properties ignored the beach and ocean. But in the last couple of decades, they recognized the importance of the beach as an amenity to highlight. Several Boardwalk properties added beach bars in the summer, including Bally’s Atlantic City.
Bally’s wants to expand its beach presence. Ocean Casino Resort also plans to tap into the beachfront. At a meeting June 16, City Council approved two resolutions to permit each casino to begin negotiating redevelopment agreements for the beach.
Bally’s new beach bar and entertainment venue would be developed between Arkansas and Indiana avenues. Ocean’s project would be developed between Rhode Island and New Jersey avenues.
“I would definitely encourage this very strongly,” Councilman Kaleem Shabazz said in support of the resolutions. “Even though there are some negative aspects to the casinos, these entities have put a lot of money into the city; they are employing a lot of people.”
On July 21, council also approved a resolution for the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority to support a redevelopment plan at Ocean Beach Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue.
Both casino hotel projects require state approval of beach leases and Coastal Area Facility Review Act permits.
