Atlantic City has marked a historic moment as Donna DeCaprio becomes the first woman to lead the union which represents the majority of the casino workers in the city. DeCaprio now holds the position of president at Local 54 of the Unite Here union, a powerful organization boasting approximately 10,000 members.
Local 54 has played a significant role in labor disputes, in several instances challenging the casino industry and advocating for workers’ rights. However, following the adoption of landmark contracts last summer, a period of relative labor peace has been ensured for at least three more years, along with substantial raises for the workers.
During the crucial negotiations, DeCaprio played a central role as the lead negotiator, stepping in for the then-president, Bob McDevitt, who was recovering from an illness. Her ability to navigate the complexities of the negotiations without resorting to strikes, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and inflation, was instrumental in her appointment to the role.
“This is extremely hard work that they do,” said DeCaprio of what Atlantic City workers face each day, as per Associated Press. The new union president started her career in the casino industry at the Trop World casino back in 1987.
The majority of Local 54’s members, at 60%, are women, reflecting the essential role they play in the hospitality and service sectors of the casino industry. “I find that women generally take a more collaborative approach to issues,” DeCaprio said. “I would like to build more alliances with other unions and build some bridges.”
DeCaprio takes over from Bob McDevitt, a powerful figure in Atlantic City for nearly 25 years who left the Local 54 presidency in May to run the national union’s pension fund. During his tenure, McDevitt proved ready to put up a fight, with full-blown strikes called in 1999, 2004 and 2016. DeCaprio, who has been arrested 13 times during union demonstrations, says she can also be confrontational if necessary.
Her 19-year tenure as secretary-treasurer of the union solidified her working relationships with casino executives, fostering an environment conducive to negotiations, ultimately leading to landmark contracts without any strikes last summer.
Mark Giannantonio, president of Resorts Casino and head of the Casino Association of New Jersey, praised DeCaprio for her capability and negotiation skills. “I have known Donna for over 20 years, and I am very happy for her as she settles into her new role,” he said. “Donna is a capable and smart negotiator who always has the best interest of her members and the community in general in mind at all times.”
One of the pressing issues DeCaprio will be tackling under the role is the question of whether New Jersey should impose a full smoking ban in casinos. Currently, smoking is allowed on 25% of the casino floor, but many casino workers are advocating for a complete ban. While over half of the state Legislature supports the ban, no vote has been scheduled yet.
Similar to McDevitt’s take, DeCaprio says a complete smoking ban would be “a suicide pact” for the city’s gambling industry given the proximity of casinos in Pennsylvania that allow smoking, potentially leading to a loss of jobs. Instead, she pointed out she supports a compromise, allowing smoking on 25% of the casino floor while requiring the installation of advanced ventilation and air treatment technology.
