An try to enchantment a lawsuit to ban smoking in New Jersey casinos to the state’s supreme court docket was rejected final week.
Some unionized on line casino staff had been looking for aid within the courts and argued that they’ve a constitutional proper to wash air whereas working in a on line casino. The group sought an emergency injunction, however the rejection retains the difficulty on the appellate court docket degree.
“My clients are disappointed that the daily assault on their health is not concerning enough to require at least a pause while we litigate the legal issues,” stated Nancy Erika Smith, an lawyer for the United Auto Workers Union.
Court Battle Continues
The union and Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE) have argued that indoor smoking in casinos places staff in danger and that exempting casinos from state smoking legal guidelines violates the New Jersey Constitution.
Earlier this month, a state choose dismissed a lawsuit looking for to finish smoking in casinos. The choose rejected claims that the carveout within the New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act permitting some smoking in casinos violates the state structure.
The problem has gained momentum lately after state legislators haven’t agreed on laws banning smoking. As the state has skilled declining stay on line casino income lately, some within the business in addition to legislators and different union staff have argued that banning smoking might damage casinos much more and in the end result in job losses.
Critics of anti-smoking efforts additionally word that smoking is simply allowed on solely 25% of the on line casino flooring.
“As lawmakers continue to proceed with the annual state budget process, representatives in the New Jersey Legislature must understand the perilous economic situation at hand for my members, and indeed all workers in Atlantic City,” Unite Here Local 54 President Donna DeCaprio stated earlier this yr. The union represents Atlantic City’s largest group of on line casino staff.
“Not only is the overall in-person revenue troubling — but the size of the declines at some of the individual properties portends some serious instability for thousands of workers. The legislators need to take this into consideration as they consider policies that could compound the downward trends.”
