Staff at the Caesars Entertainment-owned Horseshoe Indianapolis in Shelbyville, Indiana have gone on strike in response to a dispute over union representation.
Some 200 dealers and dual rates were scheduled to vote in their union election on October 17. However, as the government shutdown caused this to be delayed, it was proposed to use a neutral third party to conduct the vote.
Workers demanded recognition of Teamsters Local 135 as their bargaining representative. However, Horseshoe’s management has so far refused, pushing staff to strike.
The strike, which staff warned about earlier last week, began on October 17 and continued over the weekend into the new week.
Horseshoe ‘Only Delaying the Inevitable’
Tommy Blitsch, director of the Teamsters Convention, Trade Show, and Casino Division, hit out over the dispute and asserted that Horseshoe Indianapolis pushing staff to strike.
“Horseshoe is only delaying the inevitable by forcing these future Teamsters to the picket line,” he said. “No matter how long they drag out this strike, it will end in the same way — with 200 casino workers getting strong Teamsters representation.”
Dustin Roach, president of Local 135, added: “Horseshoe dealers and dual rates want and deserve the strong representation that Local 135 can provide them. We will not let the casino’s management stand in their way.
“Horseshoe can end this strike by recognizing the union that these hard-working men and women have fought so hard to join.”
