Chiedono al leader del sindacato dei casinò del New Jersey di dimettersi a causa della protesta contro il divieto di fumare
Venting Over Vices: The Prolonged Battle of Atlantic City Casino Workers Against Indoor Smoking
The persistent push for a complete ban on smoking indoors at Atlantic City casinos has hit a wall, frustrating employees who seek a cleaner, healthier workplace. Regrettably, legal and legislative attempts to implement this ban have been unsuccessful, causing discontent among workers.
Tensions rise as United Auto Workers (UAW) Region 9 assistance director Ray Jensen engages in a heated debate with a union leader, accusing her of colluding with tobacco companies.
She argues that such a ban would trigger a wave of job losses
Donna DeCaprio leads the 10,000-member Local 54 of Unite Here, and her stance is that implementing a ban would trigger a wave of job losses. The union is quick to point out that up to 72% of land-based casino revenue comes from smoking gaming sections.
DeCaprio contends that the UAW is bent on sacrificing the entire casino industry, potentially risking 25,000 jobs with benefits. She advocates for a more balanced approach that considers the interests of both parties.
Legal battle began on Monday with Casino Employees Against Smoking's Effects (CEASE), who filed an appeal of an August ruling that upheld the 25% smoking rule in the state's nine casinos.
Background Check
The bigger picture
- Economic Concerns: Initially, there were fears about potential revenue loss and job cuts if smoking were prohibited entirely. Spectrum Gaming Group's 2022 report predicted a 11% revenue drop and up to 2,500 job losses[1]. However, these fears have lessened as societal attitudes have shifted and accommodations for smokers have evolved[1].
- Industry Adaptations: Casinos have improved facilities for smokers by providing outdoor smoking areas, reducing the impact of potential bans[1].
- Legislative Hurdles: Bills to enforce smoking bans in casinos have stalled in the New Jersey legislature, despite strong support from various groups and Governor Phil Murphy[3].
Local 54 of Unite Here
Historically, casino workers' unions have expressed concerns about the health risks of smoking and may advocate for smoke-free environments.
Casino Employees Against Smoking's Effects (CEASE)
CEASE advocates for the prohibition of indoor smoking in casinos to protect workers' health. They criticize the double standard of enforcing non-smoking rules on the boardwalk while allowing smoking within casinos[5]. CEASE consistently advocates for legislation to shield casino employees from secondhand smoke exposure[5].
Support and Allies
Both CEASE and unions such as the UAW and UFCW Local 152 have rallied support for closing the smoking loophole in casinos, emphasizing the health benefits and the importance of protecting workers[3][5]. Despite these determined efforts, a sweeping ban remains elusive due to ongoing disputes and economic factors.
- The struggle for a complete indoor smoking ban at Atlantic City casinos has led to a significant dispute between unions representing casino employees and casino figures, with one union leader arguing that such a ban could lead to massive job losses in the retail, finance, casino-and-gambling industry.
- Despite the health concerns raised by unions and advocacy groups like Casino Employees Against Smoking's Effects (CEASE), legal and legislative attempts to implement a smoking ban in the casinos have been unsuccessful, potentially exacerbating the casino-culture's reliance on casino-games that cater to smokers.
- In an attempt to address the ongoing battle, union leaders like Donna DeCaprio of Local 54 of Unite Here and Ray Jensen of UAW Region 9 are advocating for a more balanced approach that considers the interests of both parties, ensuring the survival of jobs and the well-being of employees while preserving the casino industry's financial stability.
