Hard Rock Casino Rockford workers rally as they push to organize six labor unions

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
Get our free e-newsletter

ROCKFORD — Hard Rock Casino Rockford workers rallied outside the new entertainment venue on Friday in response to what they say are union-busting tactics taken by the company.

A few dozen members of Rockford Casino Workers United gathered outside the casino, 7801 E. State St., between three oversized inflatable rats that are a symbol of union protests.

Related: Ho-Chunk celebrates the start of construction for new casino in Beloit

There are six labor unions organizing with workers at the casino as part of the coalition. They are the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the International Union of Operating Engineers, the Service Employees International Union, the United Auto Workers and Unite Here

“The casino has been ignoring our efforts to meet with them, they’ve been holding anti-union meetings with workers trying to quiet their voices,” said Sara Dorner, president of Rockford United Labor, which represents more than 25,000 workers in the Rockford area. “We’re out here today asking them to respect the right to organize.”

The casino’s valet drivers and warehouse workers voted Tuesday to join the Teamsters, according to the coalition.

Dorner said that happened despite the casino holding anti-union meetings and trying to pressure workers not to organize.

“The vote on Tuesday shows that Hard Rock workers will not be bullied,” she said. “Now every worker at the casino deserves the right to win their union without the house trying to rig the game against them.”

Dorner said efforts to organize started after workers approached local labor groups.

“The workers have come to us asking to have a voice on the job,” she said. “This was worker generated.”

The casino employs more than 900 people handling everything from food service to gaming, transportation, retail, warehouse and other operations.

“Hard Rock Casino Rockford is thrilled with the contribution of our more than 900 team members who recently launched our exciting new property, surpassing expectations in our first month of operation,” Geno Iafrate, president of Hard Rock Casino Rockford, said in a statement. “Our team members are the heartbeat creating authentic experiences that rock for our guests as they enjoy the casino’s gaming, dining, and entertainment options.”

Iafrate said Hard Rock offers industry-leading compensation, benefits, training, support and opportunities to advance your career.

“We respect their right to unionize, evident in the project labor agreement we had in place during construction and our ongoing negotiations with Unite Here Local 450, the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 399 and Teamsters Local 325,” he said. “Union members represent a large percentage of our team. We also respect our employees’ right to choose not to be represented by a union. We believe in building strong partnerships, both with our team and the broader community, and we look forward to watching our band grow as the casino grows.”

Dorner said that all workers in Rockford deserve to have a voice on the job.

“We’re really proud of how this casino was union built, but we need sustainable union jobs on the inside as well,” Dorner said.

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas