UNITE HERE Members Rally in Trenton

June 12, 2008, Trenton:

UNITE HERE members from the New York New Jersey Regional Joint Board and the Metropolitan Trucking and Distribution Joint Board (North NJ) joined their brothers and sisters from Atlantic City Local 54 today to lobby elected officials to enact a state budget by the June 30th deadline.

By law, the state must adopt a new budget by the constitutional deadline of June 30th. If no budget is adopted, all essential government services must close. Since casinos are regulatd by the government, casinos MUST also close during a government shut-down.

During a budget-related three day government shut down in 2006, workers - including thousands of Local 54 members - lost between nine and ten million dollars in wages. The gaming industry lost an estimated $50 million in revenue, which meant a loss of $4.6 million in taxes for the state of New Jersey.

The casino industry in Atlantic City is vital to UNITE HERE members and to all New Jersey residents. In 2006 alone, New Jersey collected over $560 million in taxes from the casinos, $400 million of which went to provide prescription drugs to senior citizens and disabled citzens.

Thank you to the 125 members who took the time to show solidarity with members of Local 54, Atlantic City!