Revel Casino Job Term Limits – Fair or Unfair [POLL]

The union that represents the majority of casino workers in Atlantic City is looking to enlist the support of the public to bar the brand new Revel Casino, and other casinos in the city, from imposing “term limits” on its employees.

It’s interesting, because no one, unless you’re a tenured teacher, is guaranteed a job forever.

So what the union is seeking to do is limit the ability of the casino to have their employees undergo a review every 4 to 6 years, at which time said employees may have to reapply for their jobs.

Sound unfair?

It’s hard to me, as someone who’s worked in private industry for the length of time that I have, to see the unfairness of all this.

True, the casino in question, Revel did get tax credits from the state to finish the project…thereby insuring that the local economy would benefit from the added jobs.

But ultimately, the employer has the right, if you will, to determine if, after a certain period of time, an employee is still up to the task of performing that job.

According to this:

Local 54 of Unite-HERE filed petitions with the city clerk Thursday seeking a November referendum on ordinances that would require that casino workers be terminated only for "just cause" and making sure they get sick leave and partial reimbursement for child care expenses.

The $2.4 billion Revel, which opened in April, is the only one of Atlantic City's 12 casinos to impose term limits. Revel CEO Kevin DeSanctis says the business needs to ensure that customer-service employees don't become indifferent to the needs of customers.

Bob McDevitt, Local 54's president, noted the large amount of state tax credits, job training funds and infrastructure improvements Revel has received.

Before Revel opened, applicants were told they will have jobs for as little as four years at a time, after which they will have to re-apply. That means competing with younger, fresher faces -- a requirement that has never been made before in the 34-year history of casino gambling in Atlantic City.

Jobs that are subject to term limits of up to six years include dealers, valets, cocktail servers, bartenders and front desk clerks.

The casino says it will recruit for supervisory positions from among those workers and will encourage advancement through the ranks. At the end of the job term, any employee who has not been promoted will have to re-apply for the same job and compete with all other comers.

McDevitt says that will have the effect of purging the workforce of all but the youngest, most attractive faces.

The union's proposed ordinance defines "just cause" for termination as "reasonable, demonstrable, job-related grounds for termination based on a failure to satisfactorily perform job duties or other legitimate business reason uniformly applied to all employees.
Expiration of a specified duration of employment (sometimes referred to as 'term limits') shall not constitute just cause for termination."

Maureen Mahoney-Dunn, an Atlantic City resident, said she hopes to prevent other casinos from adopting similar policies.

"I signed this petition because I want to put an end to the practice of term limits that Revel has introduced before it spreads," Mahoney-Dunn said. "If this becomes the norm in Atlantic City, it will be a horrible thing for the working people of this area."

What say you:

Do you think it’s fair or unfair for Revel to impose “term limits” on their employees?

Feel free to comment below: