Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Bristol workers join Teamsters

• In a landmark vote, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Bristol dealers and dual rates employees voted to unionize
• Choosing to join Teamsters Local 519, the workers are expected to unlock higher wages, additional benefits and a strong voice on the job
• The milestone unionization effort marks an exciting moment

Hundreds of employees at one of Virginia’s go-to hotel and casinos unionized for better representation and pay.

That’s the case for more than 200 table game dealers and dual rates at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Bristol, who recently voted to join Teamsters Local 519.

Dealers and dual rates vote to join Teamsters

The milestone decision comes at a time when the employees are seeking a fair first contract, strong union representation, improved benefits and higher wages.

Dealers play an important role on the casino floor as they operate table games like poker, blackjack, and roulette.

Besides managing table games, dealers handle chips and payouts while monitoring that each game is fair and that players abide by the rules.

Across the United States, Teamsters represents close to 6,000 employees at casinos and hotel casino properties.

Overall, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, founded more than a century ago, represents 1.3m hardworking people across the United States, Canada as well as Puerto Rico.

Earlier this year, Park MGM workers unlocked work benefits after ratifying a strong first collective bargaining agreement.

Joining Teamsters secures respect and stability for 200+ workers

Anthony Keen, a table games dealer at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Bristol and a new member of Teamsters Local 519, spoke about the importance of the latest announcement, Casino Guru News learned from a press release.

"Choosing to join the Teamsters was about securing respect, stability, and a voice on the casino floor," he revealed.

"We're ready to negotiate a contract that reflects the hard work we do every day," Keen added.

Wes Trotterchaud, Teamsters Local 519’s President, was similarly excited.

"It was a team effort from start to finish, and we had the best team to fight for representation, including our organizer, Marty Hinch," he explained.

Finally, Trotterchaud acknowledged that the collaboration is expected to bring significant benefits for the workers.

Tommy Blitsch, the Director of the Teamsters Convention, Trade Show and Casino Division, pointed to the important role of dealers and dual rates on the casino floor.

"It was the best decision to choose the Teamsters, and we're proud to support them as they move forward in securing a fair first contract," Blitsch said in conclusion.

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