Billionaire Carl Icahn’s management team has filed the proper petitions with New Jersey regulators to begin closing down Atlantic City’s Taj Mahal casino in October.
Casino workers with Unite HERE of local 54—the city’s largest casino workers union—have been on strike at the casino since July. Icahn announced he would close the casino in early August, citing the labor trouble as a main reason.
The main issue has been over health insurance for employees at the casino. During the casino’s bankruptcy, a judge allowed then owner trump Entertainment to cancel health benefits for workers. The union has wanted those benefits restored, but Icahn has said the Taj Mahal has been losing millions and can’t afford a full restoration of benefits.
However, since no petition was filed with the state, some union members hoped a deal could still be reached. But now with the filing and layoff notices sent to workers, it looks as if the property will close as scheduled.
According to the Associated Press, the petition asks the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement for permission to close the casino and to approve plans to wind down table games, disconnect slot machines, store unused liquor and destroy cards, dice and gambling chips.
The state must approve the procedures for shutting down the casino. The Taj Mahal plans to close at 6 a.m. on Oct. 10. But it will begin winding down some table games on Sept. 26.
