A fixture of the Atlantic City casino labor scene is departing his long-held position later this year. Bob McDevitt, president of UNITE HERE Local 54, representing 10,000 Atlantic City casino workers, informed the union that he will be stepping down from his position effective May 1 to become chairman of UNITE HERE’s retirement fund.
McDevitt, 61, has led the union nearly 27 years, making him Local 54’s longest-serving president. He has been a powerful force in representing casino workers, leading them through three strikes and getting arrested nearly 10 times at union protests.
McDevitt is known for many confrontations, perhaps most notably the 102-day 2016 strike that ultimately led billionaire Carl Icahn to close the Trump Taj Mahal.
“It has been an honor to serve as president of Local 54 for the last 26 years,” McDevitt wrote in a letter to the union. “I am deeply grateful for the trust and confidence you have placed in me during that time.”
Donna DeCaprio, Local 54’s current financial secretary treasurer and McDevitt’s longtime lieutenant, will succeed McDevitt as president of the union.
“As I move on to my new role, I have a great sense of pride and accomplishment,” McDevitt wrote. “Together, we have achieved many things, from securing fair wages and benefits for our members to advocating for important causes that affect our community and the world at large.”
