Workers to gather tonight at Inglewood City Council meeting, asking Council not to approve operator license without protecting workers’ jobs

What: Protest at Inglewood City Council Meeting over Hollywood Park Casino Layoffs

When: Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 7 PM

Where: Inglewood City Council – 1 W. Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90301

Who: About 50-60 casino employees, UNITE HERE Local 11 President Tom Walsh

INGLEWOOD – In response to recent news that Hollywood Park Casino’s current operator plans to layoff all employees on March 4, workers will attend Tuesday,  night’s Inglewood City Council meeting to protest licensing of the new operator, an item on tonight’s agenda.

"The Hollywood Park Casino is one of the few sources of decent jobs in Inglewood," said Pamela Smith, a 17-year casino employee and long-time Inglewood resident. "I have a mortgage. I’m looking to our elected leaders to help."

On Tuesday, workers and UNITE HERE Local 11, the union representing the casino’s food and beverage workers, will urge the Council to require the incoming operator to retain current workers as a condition of approving its license application. When the casino changed operators in the past, workers continued working without interruption.

"If we need new to learn new skills to meet the new operator’s needs, we’ll do it. We will do whatever it takes to hold on to our jobs," said Roberto Aldaco, an 18-year server at Hollywood Park and father of two girls. "My wife and I both work at the casino. Both of us losing our jobs will be devastating to our family."

To interview casino workers, please contact Leigh Shelton at 323-533-3864 or [email protected].