Card-check victory brings more than 250 hospitality and gaming employees into the Teamsters, signaling continued union momentum across the US casino sector
More than 250 employees at Gold Strike Casino Resort in Mississippi have voted to unionize with Teamsters Local 667, marking a significant labor milestone for the property and adding further momentum to union organizing efforts across the US casino industry. The workers secured representation through a card-check majority process, which allows union recognition once a majority of employees sign authorization cards, rather than proceeding through a formal election.
The newly organized workforce includes housekeepers, food and beverage staff, and cocktail waitresses, roles that form the operational backbone of the resort’s hospitality and gaming services. Employees said the decision to join the Teamsters was driven by a shared desire to improve wages, benefits, and overall working conditions in an industry known for demanding schedules and high service expectations.
Teamsters Convention, Tradeshow and Casino Division Director Tommy Blitsch described the development as part of a broader strategy to strengthen labor standards across the gaming sector. He noted that the union’s growing presence in casinos is aimed at delivering tangible improvements for workers while reshaping industry norms around pay, benefits, and job security. According to Blitsch, the Gold Strike victory reflects both rising worker engagement and increasing confidence in collective bargaining as a tool for change.
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents more than 1.3 million workers across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. In recent years, the union has expanded its organizing activity within hospitality, gaming, and entertainment venues, where frontline employees have increasingly sought stronger representation amid rising costs of living and evolving workplace expectations.
Gold Strike Casino Resort worker Erica Guerrero, now a member of Teamsters Local 667, said signing an authorization card was a deliberate step toward empowerment. She explained that workers recognized the advantages of union membership and wanted a collective voice to negotiate for fair compensation and improved conditions. Guerrero added that the organizing effort has already strengthened solidarity among staff and fostered a renewed sense of confidence about the future.
Teamsters Local 667 President James Jones III also welcomed the new members, emphasizing that the organizing win reflects sustained efforts to build union power across the region. He characterized the incoming group as committed and motivated, underscoring their readiness to support one another and participate actively in union initiatives.
Gold Strike Casino Resort features approximately 50,000 square feet of gaming space, with more than 1,200 slot machines and eight table games, including blackjack, roulette, and craps. As the unionization process moves forward, attention will now turn to contract negotiations, where workers and management are expected to engage on issues central to wages, benefits, and working conditions.
