14 Years at Caesars and Can't Afford Health Coverage

Aneil Patel
Caesars Atlantic City
Atlantic City, N.J.
UAW

Aneil Patel, a dealer at the luxurious Caesars Atlantic City casino, has worked hard for the past 14 years to make a better life for himself and his family. However, despite the efforts of Patel and his co-workers, the casino has turned a blind eye to their needs and concerns.

Patel and his co-workers have seen their wages remain stagnant and benefits shrink or disappear altogether.

“Even if you do a good job and they like you, you can never earn a decent base pay,” says Patel. Meanwhile, the cost of benefits has shot through the roof. Patel can no longer afford dental or eye care for himself or his twin boys.

Hard-working dealers cannot afford to take time off for illness and forgo the tips that supplement their salaries. “When it comes to health care,” Patel says, “I have to gamble myself.”

When Patel and his co-workers tried to bring their grievances to their supervisors, they were either ignored or given a hard time in response.

“This is why we wanted a union,” says Patel. As is too often the case, Caesars’ managers threatened and intimidated workers when they tried to form a union. The company forced the workers into mandatory meetings where casino workers were told that a union would not be in their best interests.

In the face of Caesars’ intimidation and disregard for the workers’ concerns, Patel and his co-workers voted overwhelmingly to organize themselves with the UAW. Despite their successful election, Harrah’s management has refused to honor the results with a contract. Patel continues to demand a fair deal with management in return for his years of hard work as an honest dealer. Until they have a contract with Caesars, he and his co-workers will be “stepping up this fight.”