UPDATE: The labor dispute at the Horseshoe Indianapolis casino has escalated into a federal lawsuit, as Teamsters Local 135 has filed legal action against the city of Shelbyville and its police chief. This urgent case, lodged on November 6, 2023, in the US District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, centers around allegations that city officials violated workers’ rights by forcibly removing strikers from public property.
The lawsuit claims that city authorities ordered union members to relocate their picket line from the casino entrances, despite the union asserting that their protest was conducted on public easements. According to reports from The Indiana Lawyer, this action infringes upon rights protected by the First Amendment and the National Labor Relations Act, which safeguard legal picketing and the right to assemble.
Since mid-October, approximately 200 dealers and dual-rate workers have staged a “recognition strike,” demanding that Caesars Entertainment, the casino’s parent company, formally acknowledge their union after stalled negotiations and delayed elections. Workers are pushing for improved pay, better short-term disability coverage, and safer parking areas at the casino. A vote to form a bargaining unit was initially set for October 17, but a federal government shutdown halted all National Labor Relations Board elections nationwide.
In a surprising turn, workers proposed using a neutral third party to oversee the vote, but Caesars rejected this offer, leading directly to the strike. The lawsuit contends that the city colluded with the casino to suppress the peaceful picketing efforts.
On November 5, tensions escalated when Shelbyville police, acting on the casino management’s request, ordered the protestors to leave the area. Teamsters officials report that police warned their president, Dustin Roach, he could face trespassing charges. While Caesars has refrained from commenting on the lawsuit, the Shelbyville police department has stated they are investigating the incident.
In a passionate display of solidarity, over a hundred strikers attended a city council meeting, demanding accountability from city officials and vowing to continue their protest until their rights are recognized. The lawsuit, titled Teamsters Local Union No. 135 v. City of Shelbyville Indiana and Chief Bill Dwenger, could potentially set significant precedents regarding public protests near private properties and clarify the role of city officials in labor disputes.
As the legal battle unfolds, striking workers remain committed to their cause, continuing a smaller protest across the street from the casino. They assert, “one day longer, one day stronger,” as they fight for their right to form a union and improve their working conditions.
This developing story has far-reaching implications for labor rights and local governance, making it a critical issue for workers across the nation. Stay tuned for updates as this situation evolves.
