Casino Union Leader in Atlantic City, Bob McDevitt, Announces Retirement After 26-Year Tenure
One of the most prominent figures in the Atlantic City casino sector is relinquishing his role as a union leader after over a quarter of a century in charge.
Bob McDevitt has spearheaded Union Unite Here Local 54 in Atlantic City for the past 26 years. As the union's president, McDevitt has been a diligent lobbyist, advocating for casino resort employees like housekeepers, bartenders, servers, cooks, bellmen, and doormen with state legislators in Trenton and local government officials. However, Unite Here doesn't encompass gaming workers such as table game dealers and slot technicians.
McDevitt, who had a near-fatal health scare in 2021, feels it's appropriate to step down from the union he's passionately governed since 1997.
In reflecting upon my time as president, I am profoundly moved by the devotion and determination of our members. Each and every one of you has played a crucial role in the union's success, growth, and resilience, and I take pride in having fought alongside such a passionate and relentless group of people," McDevitt mentioned in a statement.
McDevitt credits his leadership for bringing enhanced wages, benefits, and progress to union members, while advocating for significant causes and reaching common objectives in Atlantic City.
McDevitt's resignation will take effect on May 1, at which point he'll shift to become chairman of the Unite Here Retirement Fund. Headquartered in New York City, Unite Here is a nationwide labor union, with a main focus on the hotel, food, laundry, warehouse, and casino sectors. The union boasts roughly 300K active members.
McDevitt vs. Icahn Clash
McDevitt's tenure was defined by his reluctance to succumb to billionaire Carl Icahn's demands.
Now, the corporate raider, valued at an estimated $18 billion, seized the bankrupt Trump Taj Mahal in 2014. Icahn employed bankruptcy laws to lessen or stall certain employee benefits, but promised to reinstate compensation once the financially struggling casino's situation improved.
McDevitt initiated a strike among workers in 2016 when Icahn failed to honor his promise. Rather than investing in the Boardwalk resort, Icahn sought a buyer, but couldn't find one.
Trump Taj Mahal employees went on strike in August 2016. Icahn stated at the time he was losing around $100 million annually keeping the casino open, and unless the reduced benefits continued, the casino would need to close permanently.
McDevitt, unfazed by Icahn, remained steadfast. Icahn didn't mince words when discussing his personal views about the union leader.
The best thing that could happen for Atlantic City would be McDevitt's departure, and I'd gladly pay for his plane ticket and moving expenses," Icahn declared in 2016, adding that McDevitt chose to "burn the Trump Taj Mahal down."
McDevitt asserted that Icahn wasn't concerned about taking care of Atlantic City casino workers, but only his personal wealth.
"Carl Icahn has taken hundreds of millions of dollars out of Atlantic City," McDevitt retaliated. "It has been nothing but the regular 'my way or the highway' from Carl Icahn. That's not an effort to negotiate an agreement — that's punishing working people for standing up to injustice."
Icahn ultimately sold the closed Taj to Hard Rock International in 2017 for just $50 million.
Departure at a Crucial Moment
McDevitt's departure as Unite Here's Local 54 chapter head occurs as Atlantic City casinos are still regaining momentum from the pandemic and face more competition in the Northeast. Ominous financial concerns also cast a shadow over the local gaming industry's future.
Another pressing concern for Atlantic City is the ongoing presence of indoor casino smoking. McDevitt thinks now isn't the time to explore a smoking ban given that casinos in nearby Philadelphia still tolerate indoor smoking.
