NJ Spark, a social justice journalism lab at Rutgers University, is chronicling the fight of workers at Trump Taj Mahal Casino Hotels to have their health insurance and pension benefits restored.
ATLANTIC CITY - NJ Spark, a social justice journalism lab at Rutgers University, is chronicling the fight of workers at Trump Taj Mahal Casino Hotels to have their health insurance and pension benefits restored.
The lab - which focuses on stories of the working class, immigrants, and impoverished - recently reported in an article and video, produced by Media Mobilizing Project, how the battle between the workers, represented by UNITE HERE Local 54, and Carl Icahn has been gaining momentum in recent months.
RELATED: Atlantic City casino workers union authorizes strike against Taj Mahal
The union is demanding the restoration of the workers' health insurance and pension benefits, which were stripped away by the casino's previous owner, Trump Entertainment Resorts, as part of a $14.6 million cost cutting campaign.
Icahn, who is in the process of acquiring the casino through bankruptcy court, has called the benefits unaffordable and said he would close the casino if the court reinstates the health and pension benefits, the report said.
In June, workers performed a civil disobedience action outside of the entrance to the casino, which resulted in the arrests of 70 workers. And on July 16, Taj Mahal workers voted to authorize a strike at the casino.
However, the workers are still attempting to avoid a strike.
"We are giving them one more chance to do the right thing before we strike," said Ben Begleiter, spokesperson for UNITE HERE Local 54. "Our whole livelihood, the welfare of this city, depends on these workers getting the contracts they deserve."
NJ Spark said it asked Icahn Enterprises to comment for the story and video, but did not receive a response.
Rob Spahr may be reached at rspahr@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TheRobSpahr. Find NJ.com on Facebook.