Rockford Casino Workers Rally Against Alleged Union-Busting Tactics at Hard Rock

Pro-union casino workers from the Hard Rock Rockford are set to hold a rally today, accusing the casino of engaging in "union-busting" tactics.

Earlier this week, Hard Rock valet drivers and warehouse workers voted overwhelmingly to unionize. Ninety-eight percent of workers voted in favor of joining the Teamsters union, according to a Facebook post on the Rockford United Labor’s page.

Now they claim that Hard Rock has hired anti-union consultants to hold meetings and pressure them not to organize.

The rally is being organized by Rockford Casino Workers United, a coalition of workers, unions, and community allies dedicated to advocating for fair union jobs at the Hard Rock.

The Illinois AFL-CIO even posted information about the rally on its X account.

Sara Dorner is the president of Rockford United Labor. She told WREX News: “We believe that workers deserve not only to survive but to thrive, especially in an industry as successful as gaming. This is also about having a voice in the workplace, ensuring safety conditions, consistent scheduling, and dignity for all.”

In response, Geno Iafrate, President of Hard Rock Casino Rockford, stated: “We value our team members and offer industry-leading compensation, benefits, training, and advancement opportunities. We are committed to building strong partnerships with our team and the wider community, and we look forward to our collective growth as the casino expands.”

The “Rally for Respect” event will take place outside the casino from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. today.

Hard Rock Casino Rockford Opened in August

This is all happening just three months after the casino swung open its doors.

Hard Rock Casino Rockford became Illinois' 13th permanent casino and the fourth of six casinos introduced under the 2019 gaming expansion bill signed by Governor JB Pritzker.

The 175,000-square-foot facility features nearly 1,300 slot machines, 50 table games, a six-table poker room, a retail sportsbook, and seven dining options, including the iconic Hard Rock Cafe. Additionally, it features the Hard Rock Live entertainment venue, which seats 1,600 guests.

The grand opening festivities featured Hard Rock's signature "guitar smash," and significantly boosted the city's bottom line. Under the host community agreement, the casino guarantees the city $7 million annually.

Workers Want The Alleged Anti-Union Campaign Stopped

The workers are urging Hard Rock to cease its alleged anti-union campaign and honor their right to unionize.

“It’s time for the Hard Rock Casino to stop doubling down on union busting and start respecting the rights of workers to organize unions and lift up our community,” Dorner told CDC Gaming.

Rockford United Labor represents more than 25,000 unionized workers in the Greater Rockford Area.

We'll have to wait and see where the discussions go from here.