Showboat Casino Hotel.
Hundreds of casino workers and supporters took to the streets of Atlanta to protest the closure of Showboat Casino Hotel next month.
The protestors gathered on the Atlantic Coty Boardwalk, and chanted “keep Showboat open”. Many blew whistles and beat drums at the entrance of Caesars, where a half-dozen security guards loitered about at the front entrance.
Dawn French, a cocktail server at Trump Plaza, speaks to protesters during Thursday’s protest.
Approximately over 400 protesters had marched from a small park near the Boardwalk over to Caesars Atlantic City, where a small group met with a legal attorney for the parent company that owns both casinos.
The attorney promised to meet with union officials representing the casino workers on the 7 of August. However, he was unable to answer their immediate questions, according to Donna DeCaprio, the secretary-treasurer of Local 54 of the Unite-HERE casino union, which organized the protest.
“We’re going to keep fighting this,” she declared.
The Showboat – which is still profitable – is one of three Atlantic City casinos that could shut down by September. Trump Plaza plans to close on the 16th of September and the Revel Casino is likely to close if a buyer is not found in a bankruptcy auction next month.
Together, these closures may result in the job losses of 8,000 workers.
At the beginning of 2014 Atlantic City had 12 casinos, and it may now end the summer with just eight of those remaining, after the Atlantic Clubs already closed down in January.
With three potential casino closures, approximately 8,000 people may be out of work.
“It’s a tragedy, what’s happening here,” said Curtis Wade, a cook at the Showboat for 27 years. “We’re a profitable casino; there’s no reason to shut us down.”
Protesters gathered on the Atlantic City boardwalk.
Speaking to Caesars Entertainment, the casino’s parent company that announced the Showboat closure to reduce competition in the saturated Atlantic City market, Mr Wade said he felt betrayed.
“You said we were like a family, and if we worked hard, we would all prosper. Now you’re turning your back on us. After 27 years, now you say you don’t need me,” he said.
Mr Wade and others said that they believe other companies are interested in buying the Showboat, and Caesars said recently that it would consider selling it instead of closing it if a good offer materialized.
“Showboat is a good, viable property,” said Eve Davis, a cocktail server there. “If Caesars doesn’t want it, fine. Sell it. We just need someone to come in here and love it.”
Caesars Entertainment issued a statement saying that it has no new information on the status of the Showboat, adding it plans to meet with workers next month to share any updates with them by then.
The protesters chanted loudly, blew whistles and beat drums at the entrance of Caesars, where a half-dozen security guards milled about at the front entrance.
Protesters.
Many protesters carried hand-made signs excoriating Caesars Entertainment; several included unflattering photos of company CEO Gary Loveman. One read: “Mr. Loveman: Please let Me Keep My Job.” Others said: “Atlantic City: Broken Promises.”
Bob McDevitt, the union president, said he was pleased at the political and public support for keeping the Showboat open so far.
“I have no doubt that if they continue the pressure and community support that Caesars will have no choice but to do the right thing,” he said.
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