Employees of Caesars Southern Indiana Hotel & Casino are prepared to go on strike if management fails to meet their demands on improved retirement benefits and other matters. The unions Teamsters Local 89 and Operating Engineers Local 399 report that more than 140 workers voted to authorize the strike, with 98% in favor.
There is no timeline for the potential strike. However, casino workers at Caesars Southern Indiana feel they are not being offered a fair contract. Avral Thompson, President of Local 89, said in a statement on Tuesday:
“Our members are united and ready to fight for the strongest possible agreement. This vote sends a clear message — we will not back down.
If management won‘t negotiate in good faith, we‘re prepared to take action.”
Caesars is one of most profitable casinos in the state
There are 13 casinos in the state of Indiana, with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) operating Caesars in Elizabeth. The property generated more than $240 million in revenue in 2024, making it one of the more profitable facilities in the state.
Sandra Ramirez, a slot attendant at Caesars Southern Indiana and a member of Local 89, wants her fellow employees to be fairly rewarded for the property’s success. She said in a statement:
“I‘ve worked at Caesars for over seven years, and we deserve a contract that values our hard work and dedication.
“No one wants to strike, but if management keeps disrespecting us at the bargaining table, we‘re ready to demand what we‘ve earned.”
The unions and Caesars have been negotiating a deal for months. One of the key hang-ups has been fair retirement benefits, along with other key economic issues.
Teamsters General Secretary–Treasurer, Fred Zuckerman, said that “the ball is entirely in management’s court,” in terms of offering in good faith. He went on to say:
“If Caesars faces a strike, management will have no one to blame but themselves for the fallout. We stand ready to back our members every step of the way.”
Caesars Ontario facing similar strike threat
Indiana isn’t the only Caesars location facing a potential strike.
Caesars Casino in Windsor, Ontario is dealing with the same situation as union members have given leadership authorization for a strike if a new contract is not reached this week.
Similar to the Southern Indiana employees, the Caesars Windsor union members are also seeking better wages. Members of Unifor 444, equal roughly 1,400 employees at the casino.
Other casinos that have faced a strike
Indiana’s northern neighbor, Michigan, faced a strike that impacted the three commercial casinos in Detroit. In 2023, city casino workers went on strike from Oct. 17 until Dec. 2, which is a total of 47 days.
During those 47 days, PlayMichigan reported that Detroit casinos lost $54.1 million because of the strike. Since only Caesars employees are threatening a strike, it’s unlikely losses reach that high, if it gets to that point.
Either a way, a strike would obviously impact the operations of Caesars. For example, in Detroit, MotorCity Casino had to close its entire first floor.
It appears as if Caesars is ready to hold out of work for fair compensation and benefits.
