Indiana gaming workers hold online rally for workplace safety

"Thousands of Indiana’s casino workers without affordable health care shouldn’t have to choose between paying bills and getting medical treatment in the midst of a global pandemic," said Stuart Mora, Indiana Chapter President for UNITE HERE Local 23. "They dedicate their lives to welcoming and caring for Hoosiers year after year. Indiana’s gaming employers must step up and care for their workers."

Casino workers held an online rally Friday to ask for safety measures before casinos in the state reopen, including those along the Lake Michigan shore in Northwest Indiana, as Gov. Eric Holcomb announced a five-step plan for gradually reopening the state by July 4.

The UNITE HERE union represents workers at Ameristar East Chicago; Blue Chip Casino, Michigan City; and Majestic Star Casino in Gary, the Times reports. It noted Ameristar East Chicago operator Penn National Gaming pulled in $5.3 billion in revenue last year and Ameristar, Blue Chip, Caesars Southern Indiana, Indiana Grand, and Majestic Star casinos generated $66.4 million in Indiana gaming tax revenue during the first three months of the year.
 It called upon them to use some of that revenue to make workplaces safer.

"The way my co-workers and my company have been helping each other out during this crisis — I’ve never been prouder to work here," said Tina Mack, a bartender at Majestic Star Casino. "I want to be proud of how the casinos reopen, too. I want to be able to tell my customers that Majestic Star is safe for them to come back."

"I’m scared to go back to work because one of our co-workers on the property already died from COVID-19, and he was working with us right before the shutdown," said Anjila Gaudet, a slot attendant at Caesars Southern Indiana. "If we’re going to reopen, I want public health experts to be guiding us in what we should be doing." 

"I have COPD, diabetes and fibromyalgia, which weakens my immune system," said Terri Mitchell, a bartender at Indiana Grand. "I already struggle to get the health care I need because my health insurance has a $2,800 deductible. I’m terrified that if this virus gets me, I won’t get to see my grandbabies grow up."