Union Approves Pact with Four Atlantic City Casinos

The largest casino workers union in Atlantic City, N.J., has approved a new contract with four casinos that gives them a raise and doesn't require them to contribute toward their health insurance and pension costs.

Beverage servers, room cleaners and other workers represented by Local 54 of the Unite-HERE union approved a three-year contract Tuesday with Caesars Entertainment. The pact covers Caesars, Bally's, Harrah's and the Showboat.

The casinos had sought steep pay cuts and wanted workers to contribute to their health insurance and pension costs, but Caesars Entertainment backed off when the union agreed to give back some vacation and holiday pay and work 10 hours before overtime kicks in instead of the current eight.

The deal could become the basis for pacts with the other seven casinos.