US casino worker unions request deeper protection measures before reopening

Casino workers across the US want their employers to provide them with protective equipment and adopt tough new cleaning and social distancing policies before the gambling halls reopen during the coronavirus outbreak.

Two of the country’s largest casino worker unions, Unite Here and the Culinary Workers Union, representing workers from casinos in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, New Orleans and Biloxi, Mississippi, held a video news conference Tuesday to call for all workers to be tested at the casinos’ expense before returning back to their jobs. They also laid out detailed health and safety protocols unique to each worker’s job.

The calls came as New Jersey lawmakers proposed what could be tens of millions of dollars worth of tax breaks and other assistance to Atlantic City’s casinos to help them survive the virus outbreak, as reported by the Associated Press.

Per the reopening plans revealed by a small number of casino companies, there appears to be agreement on some of the basics of what the workers want. Companies including Wynn Resorts, Hard Rock and Las Vegas Sands have all endorsed providing masks and gloves, and embraced social distancing.

But the union’s requests go much deeper, asking not only for new procedures, but major new commitments of time and resources to implement them. Donald “D” Taylor, Unite Here’s national president, said workers have to be given ample time to carry out the higher level of cleaning that guests will expect.

The six-page checklist released by Unite Here on Tuesday recommends everything from offering surgical masks for all guests to wear in public places to offering contactless tipping options, suspending buffets and offering staff company-funded tests to determine a person’s current and past COVID-19 status.

“The health and safety of both workers and casino guests is our union’s top priority, which is why Unite Here consulted with public health professionals and industrial hygiene experts to develop a set of health and sanitation guidelines for gaming facilities,” Taylor said in a statement. “The casino companies need to work with us to ensure a healthy and safe environment when casinos re-open, and if they won’t, the gaming regulators of the states in which they operate must take action.”

The American Gaming Association (AGA) said specific plans will vary among casinos, but “our commitment to the well-being of our team members and guests is consistent all across the country.”

Casino workers on Tuesday’s video conference all described being eager to return to their jobs, while fearful of getting sick in doing so.