It is not customary for the Greater Atlantic City Chamber to publicly comment on matters involving employer/employee relations. However, if we are to stay true to our mission of “creating a favorable economic climate,” we must express our concern with the tactics being used by the UAW against Bally’s and Caesars. We believe those tactics are not only hurting employees of Harrah’s Entertainment, but our entire business community.

At a time when Atlantic City’s fortunes are being severely impacted by both the economy and the ever-increasing competition from neighboring states, it is counter-productive for the union to implore customers to stay away from Atlantic City. Those types of divisive tactics serve no one’s interests, except perhaps those of our regional competitors.

We are all in this together. Most businesses in this region depend, directly or indirectly, on the casino industry for its customer base. We only succeed when the industry is strong and healthy. We have enough challenges facing us without adding to them ourselves.

The Chamber maintains favorable relationships with other unions in town, often times working together to support development and job creation. But on the issue of encouraging customers to stay away from Atlantic City, we cannot stand quietly by when jobs are being threatened by misguided actions on the part of a Detroit-based union that is seemingly out of touch with the realities of the Atlantic City market.

If the UAW really wants to protect the interests of its members, then they need to recognize that collectively we succeed only when everyone’s objective is to put Atlantic City’s best foot forward.

We hope and trust that both parties will work together expeditiously to find common ground so that they may get on with the business of ensuring Bally’s and Caesars future growth and success.

Joseph D. Kelly, President
Greater Atlantic City Chamber