ATLANTIC CITY (UNITE HERE) - Internationally acclaimed Hip Hop/World
Music artist
Wyclef Jean will be the star attraction at "High Noon on the Boardwalk," a rally, march and free concert on behalf of the striking Atlantic City casino workers this Saturday, October 16th.
Warmup rally will start at 10:30 am on New Jersey Ave. at the end of the Boardwalk near the Showboat Casino, with the socially conscious and active Mr. Jean taking the stage between 12 noon and 1 p.m., then leading a march of workers, Broadway and film stars and labor leaders through the streets of the famous resort city.
Atlantic City hasn't been a fit place to gamble or relax since the workers went out on strike nearly two weeks ago after casino owners refused to settle contracts continuing worker wages, benefits and job security guaranteed under the Casino Act when it was passed 25 years ago.
In a series of radio spots running in New York City, Philadelphia and Atlantic City, Carla, one of the striking workers explains, "We're striking to preserve our healthcare benefits that we were promised. It's a very tough decision, but the flip side is if you don't strike, you don't stand up for what we voted for 25 years ago. It'll be all over. The casinos make a lot of money. They've made more money than they anticipated, and it continues to grow. And we give the good service, and we take care of the clients so they are able to make this growth, and I think its corporate greed to now just slowly cut us out of it."
Another striking worker, Joe, says: "Well, we didn't just walk out on strike. Most of us are family people. I'm the single father raising a 13 year old son. And health benefits are crucial to everybody. The Casino Act called for the residents of Atlantic City to have well-paying, middle class jobs. If the casinos had their way, these promises would be broken. Our fight is your fight because what's happening to us can happen to anybody, and to be honest, it's already happened to a lot of people. We're just drawing the line and we're saying, 'Look at us, we'll win. We can get health care. We can hold the line, and if we can hold the line, you can hold the line, too.'"
