Caesars Southern Indiana Casino Remains Open Despite 140 Workers On Strike

An Indiana casino is open without roughly 140 of its usual employees, who went on strike on Monday.

We’re going to hold management accountable for their greed and blatant disrespect,” said Avral Thompson, President of Local 89 Teamsters. “It’s time for the people who run this casino to recognize the workers who make their profits possible. We’ll do whatever it takes to win what our members deserve.”

Workers’ contracts formally expired one month ago. Thompson claimed that the union has numerous proposals for fair contracts and retirement plans denied by the casino’s owner.

Taking a stand

Caesars Southern Indiana is just south of Louisville and along the Ohio River.

The group of striking employees abandoned their stations just hours after the casino reopened following a 10-day closure due to flooding. Local 89 set a deadline of noon Saturday for EBCI Holdings, LLC, the commercial gaming arm of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, to agree to revised contracts, but the strike was delayed until the casino reopened.

A union announcement released on April 1 claimed that 98 percent of members approved the strike against the casino and the Cherokees. It also said that Caesars Southern Indiana raked in $240 million in revenue in 2024, and that the workers’ contracts were not reflective of that success.

“This vote sends a clear message — we will not back down,” Thompson said in the announcement. “If management won’t negotiate in good faith, we’re prepared to take action.” 

“None of our members’ demands are unreasonable, such as having the ability to one day retire with dignity,” Teamsters 89 added in a Saturday social media post.

Committed to the cause

Union members are in for the long haul with their stance.

“By forcing our members on strike, this company made a serious miscalculation,” said Teamsters 89 General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman. “The Teamsters won’t back down. 

“Our members are united, and we won’t stop until they get what they’ve earned. This strike is the direct result of corporate greed and indifference.”

Caesars Southern Indiana is one of three Caesars-operated casinos that are managed by another entity, in this case, EBCI Holdings, which leased the facility from real estate investment firm Vici Properties.

A casino statement said it would continue good-faith negotiations with Local 89.

“Caesars Southern Indiana remains committed to the collective bargaining process and continues to negotiate in good faith with union representatives. Caesars Southern Indiana looks forward to continuing productive discussions and remains optimistic about reaching a mutually beneficial agreement in the near future,” the statement read.

The Indiana Gaming Commission’s revenue report showed the casino generated $243 million in gross gaming revenue in FY2024. That ranked second of 13 in-state casinos.