Golden Nugget Atlantic City workers approve new one-year contract extension with UNITE HERE Local 54, ensuring existing benefits and protections while providing wage increases across the bargaining unit.

All employees who participated in the ratification vote supported the agreement, according to The Press of Atlantic City. The contract maintains gains secured during the union’s 2022 bargaining, keeps benefit coverage at 100%, and raises wages for workers covered by the agreement.

The Golden Nugget agreement is part of Local 54’s strategy to sign one-year contracts with Atlantic City casinos this year, opting for shorter terms instead of the longer agreements that have typically governed labor relations in the market. The union has successfully negotiated similar short-term deals with most of the city’s casino properties.

Shorter contracts are in response to several looming issues in Atlantic City’s casino industry. With three new casinos set to open in New York City within the next year or two, increased regional competition for Atlantic City properties and their visitor base is expected. New Jersey lawmakers are also considering another casino expansion referendum, which could introduce casinos in North Jersey, potentially altering the competitive landscape for Atlantic City operators.

Another unresolved issue involves smoking indoors at casinos. Some staff are advocating for a complete indoor smoking ban at Atlantic City casinos, a change that could impact employee working conditions and casino operations.

Following the completion of the Golden Nugget agreement, Bally’s Atlantic City remains the only casino without a new deal with Local 54. Negotiations between Bally’s and the union are set to resume next week.