Harrah's, AC Dealers Reach Tentative Deal

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) -- Harrah's Entertainment has reached a tentative five-year contract agreement with nearly 800 dealers who work at Caesars Atlantic City, the company announced Sunday.

Harrah's didn't disclose specific details on the deal with the United Auto Workers, which represents the dealers. The casino workers are expected to hold a ratification vote this month on the proposed contract.

The agreement comes after more than three years of negotiations.

Harrah's says it's similar to the deal recently reached between Tropicana Atlantic City and the UAW, which was ratified in August. The Caesars dealers have been without a pact since 2007, when they voted to be represented by UAW.

The agreements are the first-ever union contracts with Atlantic City dealers, even though hotel and other service workers have been unionized for decades.

"Since the dealers elected the UAW as their representative, we have respected our employees' right to choose representation while advocating for a relationship that enabled us to remain competitive and work together to serve our guests above all else," said Don Marrandino, the president of Harrah's Eastern Division. "This agreement provides that framework."

Caesars Atlantic City has more than 1,100 rooms and suites and eight restaurants along with a 140,000-square-foot casino.

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