Published on: June 2, 2026, at 01:04h.
Updated on: June 2, 2026, at 01:04h.
- Staff at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol have voted to form a union
- The workforce is aligning with Teamsters Local Union 519
A collective of over 200 employees at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol has made the decision to unionize.
This past weekend, Teamsters Local Union 519 announced that a vote was held to assess the workplace’s support for union affiliation. The union, situated in Knoxville, encompasses East Tennessee and parts of Southwest Virginia.
According to a Teamsters announcement, the results of the Hard Rock vote favored unionization.
“Their objective was to establish a stronger platform for advocating improved wages, enhanced benefits, and job security. The remarkable profits of Hard Rock should reflect the contributions of its employees, who make its success possible every day,” the union’s statement indicated.
The permanent Hard Rock Bristol casino resort was inaugurated in November 2024. The establishment boasts 1,400 slot machines, 75 table games, a poker room, and a sports betting facility, along with 303 rooms and suites in its hotel.
Hard Rock Financial Performance
Hard Rock Bristol represents a $500 million investment by Hard Rock International, a gaming and hospitality powerhouse owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The Tribe collaborated with local entrepreneurs Jim McGlothlin and Clyde Stacy, the key figures who persuaded state legislators to approve commercial casino operations in 2020.
The investment in Bristol has proven to be lucrative. The temporary casino amassed $158.4 million in 2023, marking the inaugural full operational year for Hard Rock in Virginia. Annual gross gaming revenue surged to $162.1 million in 2024 and reached $252.1 million last year. By April, GGR stood at $86 million, surpassing the levels from the previous year.
Bristol is reaping the rewards of Hard Rock’s success. Unlike the four other casinos in Virginia that share 6% of their monthly gaming revenue with host cities, Hard Rock, together with McGlothlin and Stacy, have committed to allocating 7% to Bristol.
Each month, the Bristol Regional Improvement Commission (RIC) receives 7% of the casino’s gross gaming revenue. Since the temporary casino’s debut in July 2022, the RIC has accrued over $46 million.
These funds are earmarked for projects improving public safety, education, transportation, and infrastructure.
Unionization at Hard Rock
In their announcement about the vote at Hard Rock Bristol, the Teamsters indicated that casino management attempted to sway the vote.
“In spite of legal obstacles and consultative interference by anti-union lawyers, these workers were aware of the tactics employed by Hard Rock and recognized the risks of remaining passive. These diligent employees questioned the necessity of abandoning their positions to improve workplace conditions and benefits. Instead, they chose to advocate for their rights as working-class citizens. They believe everyone deserves the chance to enhance the standards and expectations at their workplace,” noted the Teamsters.
Hard Rock rebuffed these allegations, stating their commitment to supporting their team members.
“Our priority is to support our team members and respect their rights,” stated Allie Evangelista, president of Hard Rock Bristol. “We’re in the process of verifying the particulars. Any updates will be shared as necessary.”