Hard Rock Casino Rockford Slot Attendants Vote to Join Teamsters Union

Posted on: February 18, 2025, 07:20h. 

Last updated on: February 19, 2025, 09:45h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More

Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

• Vote was 98% affirmative
• They likely will seek salary increases
• Workers were fed up with status quo

Employees at Illinois’ Hard Rock Casino Rockford who staff slot machines have overwhelmingly voted to join the Teamsters Union.

The recent vote carried by 98%, according to a union social media post. The workers will be affiliated with Teamsters Local 325.

The recently opened casino features some 1,300 slot machines and a high-limit room with many additional slots.

The union claimed that Hard Rock management discouraged the employees from the union affiliation but Hard Rock Casino Rockford President Geno Iafrate countered the company wasn’t opposed to negotiating with unions and trade groups.

Workers Were Resilient

Following the vote, union officials and workers celebrated the affiliation.

“I congratulate these workers for showing resilience and voting to join our Teamsters family,” Erick Calvert, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 325, said in a statement released on Tuesday.

Despite an aggressive anti-union campaign, they sent a clear message to Hard Rock management that they are serious about winning the dignity, respect, and strong contract they deserve,” he added.

So far, the union has yet to reveal its desired salary increases and other desired improvements in working conditions.

Teamsters Local 325 currently represents valet and warehouse staff at Hard Rock Casino Rockford.

The new union members are eager to begin negotiations with management.

“We are proud to call ourselves Teamsters and look forward to negotiating alongside our brothers and sisters in valet and the warehouse,” Siara Raymer, a slot machine attendant at Hard Rock Casino Rockford, said in a statement.

Fed Up With Status Quo

“All of us were fed up with the status quo and knew it was time to stand our ground,” Raymer added. “Now, we are ready to fight for what we deserve.”

The casino, which is owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, is located 80 miles west of Chicago.

Overall, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters calls itself “America’s largest, most diverse union.” It has some 1.3M members in both the private and public sectors, including construction workers in Las Vegas.

Outside the US, there are close to 1,900 Teamster affiliates in Canada and Puerto Rico.