Atlantic City Union Accuses Caesars of Ignoring COVID-19 Safety Protocols

Posted on: August 6, 2020, 09:23h.

Last updated on: August 7, 2020, 09:38h.

Casino.org Staff Writer Read More

Expertise: Commercial Gaming.

Unite Here Local 54, the union which represents most casino workers in Atlantic City, says that Caesars Entertainment is ignoring New Jersey’s COVID-19 health and safety guidelines, and thus disregarding the well-being of its employees.

Atlantic City union COVID-19 Caesars — Guests and employees stand around a craps table at the Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City on July 2, 2020. (Image: Seth Wenig/AP)

According to the union, the four Caesars properties are not conducting temperature checks on guests. Instead, they are only conducting verbal screenings. Unite Here also alleges that management has failed to enforce social distancing and mask-wearing policies.

People are not wearing masks, people are wearing masks down below their nose, not wearing it properly, and when you ask them to wear it they really don’t like to comply,” Harrah’s bartender Jason McKnight said during a virtual press conference. “You’re definitely fighting an uphill battle. I don’t see security guards, managers, or anyone else going around and enforcing it.”

Caesars owns four of the nine casinos in Atlantic City today, including Bally’s, Caesars, Harrah’s, and the Tropicana.

Mixed Messages

The union’s secretary and treasurer, Donna DeCaprio, told reporters that other Atlantic City casinos are performing better when it comes to enforcement. The Borgata, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock, and Resorts casinos have all been administering temperature checks on guests. Ocean Resort Casino has performed only verbal checks, but has taken steps towards being in compliance with regulations, according to DeCaprio.

Still, the alleged lax enforcement of safety standards shows a disregard for employee health, the union says.

“We can’t rely on these companies to do the right thing,” DeCaprio said. “The workers are at risk and they need to be protected.”

Differing Protocols

Some Atlantic City casino employees find the supposed disregard for state regulations particularly disappointing because of the steps they must take to go to work.

I go in every day. I get my temperature checked,” Tropicana bartender Janey Negron told reporters. “So, you’re protecting the guests from me, but I’m not being protected?”

The union also claims it has documented 75 cases in which Atlantic City resorts failed to thoroughly clean hotel rooms on a daily basis, which state regulations require.

Caesars fired back at the allegations, saying that they are fully complying with all health and safety protocols.

“In addition to our enhanced cleaning protocols and other requirements that apply to our valued team members, all of our guests must pass a screening process before being allowed into our properties, and must wear face masks in compliance with the governor’s orders,” Caesars regional president Steve Callender said in a statement.

The state of New Jersey allowed Atlantic City casinos to reopen with a reduced capacity of guests on July 2. However, the venues were required to follow health and safety protocols to do so. Most resorts chose to reopen on that date, while the Borgata waited until July 26 to invite guests back.

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Kathy Negron November 15, 2020

I go to TROPICANA Idont think there following cleaning procedures ..The rooms i feel the need to bring Lysol and spray everything..They put a plastic sleeve over the remote control but not changing plastic..Isee guest some walking without masks and some pulled down. No temperature checks. I see one or two people with the cleaning shirt on ..There not cleaning machines often. The rooms look clean but dont have that smell of clean. I went to HARDROCK they have a temperature screen . The ATMS the ticket changers need to be cleaned. Idont see that.. I like TROPICANA have been going there for years . Please keep the employees and enforce it with them clean clean
Sondra h October 21, 2020

Caesers is quite disgusting on all levels. The management acts like they want everyone to go home don’t waste your time there and money lots of other casinos to go to where you are treAted well
Allie October 5, 2020

Went to Caeser's Atlantic City on October 3, 2020. No valet parking, no temperature checks, no free drinks at the bar. Hand sanitizers were mostly empty. Random slots were closed, not every other seat, just random rows, or one on the end. Nothing consistent. Saw 1 person going around cleaning some machines. Some people, including staff walking around with mask below their nose. No social distancing anywhere, although it looks like they did remove and reorganize some of the slot machines. Long waits at the restaurants. We ended up leaving and eating elsewhere. Definitely enter at your own risk!
Nicholas DiGaetano September 15, 2020

Look at the Karens virtue signalling about masks. Dozens of studies proving they don't work. CDC study finding no benefit to masks taken down from their website weeks ago. It is not an informed position that these people complain about mask compliance. They should be concerned why 70% of PA deaths were nursing home related. Cuomo killed 32k. No, they want to mask shame while their democrat leaders practice Eugenics on the population. Democrats must be purged in Nov.
l cola September 13, 2020

At the Borgata and Ocean you will find many people wearing masks under their noses or on the chin. Taking the mask off to talk on the phone or eating food at slot machines. Even no masks at all. Employees do not say anything to them even if you ask them to. I even saw employees and food handlers not wearing their mask properly. There does not seem to be any enforcement and of course no social distancing. The seats on machines out of order between other slot machines are used as if they are reserved seating. Long lines at restaurants, promotions and cashiers.
Jonniera Wynnfield September 5, 2020

No, they need to have temperature checks of guests. Harrahs Phila does it. However, all of these casinos are not being careful. Harrahs Phila. some slots are in circular configuration and are not 6 feet apart. Food Service and slot attendants are not wearing gloves. At Harrahs Phila. there is no smoking, but if you go thru the doors there are numerous customers standing at the door and smoking. There is a cloud of smoke. They need to have a guard at the door to move these people to an appropriate smoking area. In AC Harrahs, Caesars, etc they have a guard and a sign where you read the questions of the covid symptons and answer yes or no. This is not good enough call Harrahs Phila and ask them where to get the temperture check equipment. I asked the guard at AC Harrahs if anyone every answered YES to the covid19 questions, and of course he said no. At all properties slots are being wiped down with the same rag being used. They should have a new disposable wipe for each machine. Not use the same dirty rag. Come on Caesars this is simple housekeeping you have the funds, since you are not allowed to give free drinks to patrons spend the money on protection of your employess and guests.
Brenda Morgan August 21, 2020

Just left bally's spent 4 days there I was. upset because they were not complying with rules about elevators letting to many people on some 7 at one time when it was supposed to be 4 I said something to the people on the elevators and they said they didnt care so I said something to security and they did nothing also to many people on boardwalk without masks l will go back because I. love all Bally's hope everything is ok