Local 54 of Unite-HERE, which represents casino employees at Resorts casino in Atlantic City is encouraging members to file for food stamps if they are eligible. The casino was bought in December, cut wages up to 52% for 'legacy employees'. The union says that part of the law that allows gambling in New Jersey includes a provision that jobs must have good wages and benefits. The casino says that they are surprised by the criticism, and that people should be grateful that they kept employees when they bought the casino. The union estimates that about 300 workers qualify for food stamps. Resorts is also facing three lawsuits, one alleging that older employees were singled out for dismissal, and two for age and sex discrimination for female servers. Workers from other casinos also encouraged employees to file for assistance, while calling into question Resorts' practices.
See "Union helps Resorts casino workers get food stamps", Wayne Perry, Business Week, June 2, 2011