Published on: October 14, 2025, at 08:12h.
Updated on: October 14, 2025, at 08:13h.
- The federal shutdown hampers table game dealers’ plans to unionize at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
- Reports indicate that Caesars is unwilling to allow a third-party auditor to oversee the union voting process.
The ongoing federal government shutdown has indefinitely delayed the unionization efforts of casino workers.
Over 200 Horseshoe Indianapolis employees in Shelbyville, IN, aspire to unionize via Teamsters Local 135, representing approximately 12,000 workers across the airline, warehouse, and freight sectors, including casino table game dealers and slot attendants.
At Horseshoe Indianapolis, croupiers oversee 65 table games under Caesars Entertainment’s ownership. They planned a vote on joining the Teamsters on Oct. 17, but the government shutdown has frozen those plans by halting funding for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
The Teamsters have suggested proceeding with the vote, but instead of allowing the NLRB to handle the secret ballot, a neutral third-party would tally the results. Union representatives claim the casino has yet to respond to this proposal.
Strike Commences
In addition to its 65 table games, Horseshoe Indianapolis features 1,500 slot machines and a Caesars Sportsbook, alongside 123 live racing days annually and year-round parimutuel betting on horse races.
Dustin Roach, President of Teamsters Local 135, announced that table game employees seeking to unionize have been authorized to strike starting today unless Caesars responds to their request for an independent auditor to oversee the vote on Oct. 17.
“Casino management has neglected our proposal while aggressively pursuing union-busting tactics,” Roach stated in an interview with the Indianapolis Business Journal.
The Teamsters already represent slot attendants at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Roach acknowledged that striking among workers without union recognition is uncommon, but necessary to compel the casino to permit a third-party vote counting process.
Continued Government Shutdown
The federal government has been shut down since October 1 due to Congress’s failure to resolve a budget impasse, affecting around 750,000 federal workers who are now on unpaid leave.
Key workers, including those at the TSA and in air traffic control, must continue working without pay; however, a law passed in 2019 ensures that their wages will be compensated fully once the government reopens.
Most NLRB staff members are not considered essential workers. This agency is tasked with enforcing the National Labor Relations Act of 1935, which governs collective bargaining and identifies unfair labor practices.
The NLRB supervises elections for labor union representation and investigates accusations of employers engaging in union-busting activities.
“Due to a lack of allocated funds caused by the current government shutdown, the National Labor Relations Board is closed. Most operations are suspended, with only emergency activities involving safety or property protection taking place,” the NLRB stated.
The Senate has had seven unsuccessful votes to reopen the government. This marks the 11th government shutdown since 1980, with the longest lasting 35 days during President Donald Trump’s term in 2019.