- Bally’s Twin River Lincoln has come to an agreement with Unite Here Local 26, the casino workers union.
- This agreement appears to cover wage increases as well as shift scheduling changes.
- Improved healthcare was also a union demand.
LINCOLN, R.I. – Bally’s Twin River Lincoln looks to have averted a strike that was brewing amongst the UNITE HERE Local 26 casino workers union, with a new deal ratified by union membership on Wednesday.
Carlos Aramayo, president of UNITE HERE Local 26, praised the results of the negotiations happening in Rhode Island, calling the wage increases “unprecedented.
“We are happy to report that, following productive bargaining, the Union and Bally’s reached a 14-month extension of the current contract,” said Aramayo. “This agreement includes a pathway for our members to return to work, and unprecedented wage increases. We look forward to working in partnership with Bally’s to ensure that the casino continues to be a leading provider of good jobs with great benefits for the residents of Rhode Island.”
Patty Doyle, a spokeswoman for Bally’s Twin River Lincoln, issued a statement on Tuesday regarding the tentative agreement, before it was ratified on Wednesday.:
“There is a tentative agreement in place that will be ratified by the entire UNITE HERE union tomorrow. We believe the tentative contract is a fair agreement for all parties. Our conversations with our UNITE HERE colleagues are productive, and we look forward to continuing our collaborative relationship.”
The two parties had already agreed on a two-week extension of the current contract during negotiations.
At the time, Doyle said:
“We are pleased to announce a two week contract negotiations extension with our UNITE HERE colleagues to continue to seek resolution on outstanding issues.”
What Was The Disagreement Between The Casino And The Union About?
The crux of the disagreement – an issue that seems to have been resolved based on the tentative agreement – was related to staffing, benefits and pay at the gambling establishment.
“Bally’s employees are fighting for what they deserve: a fair contract so they can make a decent living, get back on their health benefits, and not feel exhausted after completing a work shift,” said UNITE HERE Local 26 president Carlos Aramayo.
The announcement of the tentative contract did mention additional shifts and wage increases, but did not mention healthcare, so it remains to be seen how it will go over with membership.