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Hard Rock International faces a new scandal in Illinois
After 2 months of opening a $360 casino in Rockford, Illinois, Hard Rock International faced a massive strike from 900 employees who called for a union contract.
Owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Hard Rock has a history of resisting unionization across its global operations, which include more than 300 venues. Employees from Rockford, Illinois, claim that the company is doing its best to stop the strike, together with the anti-union lawyers.
On October 25, workers rallied outside the casino in a “Rally for Respect,” urging the company to redirect funds from anti-union procedures to its worker’s rights.
Sara Dorner, president of Rockford United Labor, AFL-CIO, commented:
“The workers are steadily organizing. We’re expecting votes to come through over the next couple months, but we would really like to save time and energy with the casino. We don’t want them to have to put all their time, money, and energy into busting this up when it’s going to happen. We are just here to help. We have a coalition of six unions that are helping with different sectors but we are all working together.”
UAW Local 1268 President Matt Frantzen expressed support from regional union leaders to assist the workers in their organizing efforts. In fact, Hard Rock Casino Rockford President Geno Iafrate stated that the company is open to negotiating with unions and is already in discussions with some local union leaders.
The 64,000-square-foot casino introduces 1,300 slots, 50 live dealer tables, and a music venue, employing many local workers and previously collaborating with union labor for its construction.
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