Nearly 3K Trump Taj Mahal workers to lose jobs in casino closure

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Nearly 3K Trump Taj Mahal workers to lose jobs in casino closure

ATLANTIC CITY — Nearly 3,000 Trump Taj Mahal workers will be laid off in October when the casino shuts down, according to documents filed with the state.

The owners of the struggling resort announced last week that it was shutting down operation after Labor Day amidst the longest casino-era strike in Atlantic City.

The company filed required Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification notices with the state Department of Labor this week listing 2,848 affected employees. The notice says the layoffs will go into effect on Oct. 10.

The rise, fall of Trump's once-crown jewel

The casino and local union could not be immediately reached for comment. 

The president and CEO of Tropicana Entertainment Inc. said previously, the casino was losing millions of dollars a month, and the company saw "no path to profitability" with the ongoing strike.

The soon-to-be-closed casino took in $51.1 million during the first quarter of 2016, according to a report from the state Division of Gaming. Its total revenue in the first three months was down 1.7 percent compared to the same time last year.

The members of the Local 54 of the Unite-HERE went on strike on July over health benefits, pensions and unpaid vacation time. Union members at four other casinos threatened to strike in the lead up to July 4 weekend, but struck deals prior to the holiday weekend. 

The Atlantic City hotel and casino was bought by billionaire investor Carl Icahn in 2015 in bankruptcy court. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump opened the casino in 1990, but has since given up any control of casino and its previous owner Trump Entertainment Resorts. 

Hope Hicks, a spokeswoman for Trump's presidential campaign, told the Associated Press when the closure was announced that, "Mr. Trump made a tremendous amount of money in Atlantic City during its prime. He has not been involved for seven years, with many people giving him great credit for his timing and success."

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Craig McCarthy may be reached at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Follow him on Twitter @createcraig. Find NJ.com on Facebook.    

 

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