Atlantic City, NJ – Responding to anti-worker trends among non-union Atlantic City employers, UNITE HERE Local 54 submitted two initiative petitions to force an election in November to enact ordinances to improve living and working conditions for thousands of non-union employees in Atlantic City.

"Over the past several years, non-union employers have been paying substandard wages and benefits. Revel with its term limits and increased reliance on part-time workers has taken this to a new low. We developed these ordinances in order to improve the lives of the men and women who work in this city without the protection of a union contract," said Bob McDevitt, President of UNITE HERE Local 54.

"I signed this petition because I want to put an end to the practice of term limits that Revel has introduced before it spreads. If this becomes the norm in Atlantic City, it will be a horrible thing for the working people of this area," said Maureen Mahoney-Dunn, a resident in the Chelsea Heights.

"With employers at Revel, the Quarter and elsewhere creating jobs that don’t provide decent wages and benefits, I feel like it is important to stop employers from exploiting workers," said Atlantic City resident Felicia Potts.

One ordinance forbids the practice of term limiting employees pioneered by Revel and prohibits tip theft. The other provides for paid sick and jury duty leave and partial reimbursement for childcare and public transportation/ carpooling expenses.

State law requires petitions to be gathered and reviewed by the city clerk.  

Representing almost 14,000 workers, UNITE HERE Local 54 has fought for hospitality workers in Atlantic City for over 100 years. In 2004, members of UNITE HERE Local 54 staged a city-wide 34 day strike.