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Thousands Show up for Atlantic City Rally

ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey -- As reported by the Press of Atlantic City: "In what organizers called the largest labor demonstration in the city's history, about 7,000 union workers and supporters staged a loud but peaceful demonstration Thursday night on the beach and Boardwalk.

"Walking hand-in-hand and waving 'Contract Now' signs, members of Local 54 and its international union, Unite Here, marched from each direction on the Boardwalk, converging at Kennedy Plaza and gathering on the beach to deliver a message of unity.

"...Local 54 workers have stayed on the job since their contract with 11 of the city's 12 casinos expired Tuesday. The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa signed a separate contract in December.

"The casino-hotel union, acting with support from the international union and other labor organizations, says that as large casino companies merge, labor needs to band together.

"...The union also brought in dozens of buses filled with supporters from northern New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. Labor leaders from Unite Here locals in other gaming cities have been sitting in on Local 54's contract talks since they began in August.

"...Few of the speakers actually used the word strike, but the threat was apparent in their speeches. Bruce Raynor, president of the international union, said efforts by the casinos to divide the workers would fail.

"...Tropicana President Dennis C. Gomes said Wednesday that the union was spreading lies and using his casino as a scapegoat..."

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