Rivers Casino Portsmouth workers approve union contract
The employees have voted by a 95 per cent margin to ratify a collective bargaining agreement.
US.- Workers at Rivers Casino Portsmouth in Virginia have voted by a 95 per cent margin to ratify a collective bargaining agreement. According to Teamsters, they are the first casino workers in Virginia to secure a union contract. Teamsters Local 822 said the milestone set a “precedent for fairness, wages, and workplace protections in the state’s growing gaming industry.”
The union reported that the agreement includes raises of 15.95 per cent over the life of the contract, employer-paid health care coverage, protections from at-will employment and additional paid time off.
James Wright, president of Local 822, said: “This is history in the making. For the first time, Virginia gaming workers have a legally binding union contract that delivers guaranteed raises, strong benefits, and just cause protections. This agreement proves that when workers stand together, they can transform their industry.”
Natasha O’Guinn, a slot attendant at Rivers and member of Local 822, added: “This contract means stability for me and my family. I know my job is protected, my health care is covered, and my wages and tips together give me the security to plan for the future. We finally have a voice and a fair contract that respects what we do every day.”
Teamsters Local 822 represents over 3,000 workers in a variety of industries in the Tidewater Area.
Rivers Casino Portsmouth opened in 2023. Rush Street Gaming recently named Antonio Perez Jr. as general manager of the venue. In May, Rush Street and Rivers Casino Portsmouth announced construction plans for The Landing Hotel, an eight-story boutique destination adjacent to the casino.
Meanwhile, the Virginia Lottery Board recently approved a gaming licence for a temporary casino to open in Norfolk this month. The permanent casino and resort is expected to open in 2027.
