Atlantic City casino workers union backs Sanders

A casino workers union in Atlantic City, N.J., threw its support behind Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders on Friday, according to The Press of Atlantic City.

{mosads}“My coworkers and I are in a fight with billionaire Carl Icahn to keep our health care at the Tropicana and win back health care at the Trump Taj Mahal,” said Rodney Mills, a member of Unite Here Local 54. “We need elected leaders that are going to stand up for working people and Bernie Sanders is the best candidate for the job.”

Icahn bought the Taj Mahal casino after its previous owner, Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump, filed for bankruptcy.

Sanders responded to the endorsement in a statement praising the workers.

“It is an honor to receive UNITE HERE Local 54’s endorsement,” he said in the statement. “This campaign is building a movement of millions of Americans who are demanding that our economy works for everyone, not just the top one percent. The hard-working men and women of New Jersey’s hospitality industry are a vital part of our movement which is spreading to every corner of our country.” 

Unite Here Local 54 represents about 10,000 hospitality workers, and its parent union, Unite Here, represents some 270,000, according to its website. Sanders has previously received support from other Unite Here local groups, including several in California. 

New Jersey holds its primary elections on June 7; Gov. Chris Christie (R) endorsed Trump after dropping his own bid for the White House.