Caesars Southern Indiana Hotel & Casino in Elizabeth is having a rough start to the season, as flooding combined with an impending strike threaten to produce a prolonged closure. Floodwaters from the nearby Ohio River have caused the company to shutter the facility. Meanwhile, casino workers belonging to two unions have confirmed they will strike, after a deadline this past Saturday elapsed without a deal.
If the casino reopens before a new labor contract is agreed upon, union members plan to establish a picket line at the casino’s main entrance. The recovery from the flood and ongoing work stoppage could limit operations at the casino even if it does welcome players back soon.
Labor dispute precedes strike at Caesars Southern Indiana
Members of Operating Engineers Local 399 and Teamsters Local 89 at Caesars Southern Indiana voted to authorize a work stoppage on April 1 and according to CJ Daniels of WHAS11, the unions established an escalation deadline of noon on April 12. As Caesars and the unions are still without a contract at this time, the strike has technically begun although weather conditions are delaying some actions.
Daniels reports that a statement from the Teamsters pointed to “the company’s greed, lack of empathy, and the unfair labor practices they have committed since the contract expired.” Earlier statements from the union specified improvements in retirement benefits among the sticking points in the contract negotiations.
As part of the action, the union is calling for members and supporters to join its picket line or at least not to cross it in a boycott of Caesars Southern Indiana until a new contract is ratified. That picket line may never form, however, if negotiations are successful before the casino reopens.
Flooding could limit operations at casino temporarily
Caesars Southern Indiana closed on April 5 according to WDRB after the Ohio River flooded its banks due to heavy precipitation in the area. The report cites impassable roads in the area and a notice on the casino’s website remains in place as of the morning of April 14.
The statement does not include any projected timelines for when the casino might reopen and it’s possible that damage from flood waters could be extensive.
Coupled with the work stoppage, the cleanup might limit access to amenities and entertainment inside Caesars Southern Indiana for an extended period even upon reopening. A statement from the casino that Daniels shared points to Caesars’ hopes to resolve the labor issues during the shutdown.
“Caesars Southern Indiana remains committed to the collective bargaining process and continues to negotiate in good faith with union representatives. Caesars Southern Indiana looks forward to continuing productive discussions and remains optimistic about reaching a mutually beneficial agreement in the near future.”
Caesars has demonstrated its ability to aid in resolving similar issues recently as it averted a work stoppage following a strike authorization vote at its Caesars Windsor location in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
As Caesars Southern Indiana is a partnership with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, that group’s involvement is pivotal to a new labor contract as well. At this time, the labor situation at the casino isn’t the only concern that Caesars and the EBCI have in Elizabeth as the weather has proven a substantial impediment to the business as well.
