Seventeen construction trade unions signed a joint letter calling for local elected officials in Manhattan to support Caesars Palace Times Square, the latest example of growing momentum for the joint gaming bid from SL Green, Caesars Entertainment, and Roc Nation.
“The team behind Caesars Palace Times Square knows and understands New York City,” said the unions’ representatives in the letter. “They recognise that when Times Square thrives, the entire city thrives. And they are prepared to invest billions of dollars in converting the office building at 44th Street and Broadway into a world-class gaming, hospitality, and entertainment destination, an investment that will transform the economic life of Times Square.”
The letter is addressed to Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, State Assemblymember Tony Simone, and City Councilmember Erik Bottcher, whose constituencies include the proposed Caesars Palace Times Square site at 1515 Broadway. All three officials will also appoint members to a special Community Advisory Committee to review the Caesars Palace Times Square proposal as part of the bidding process for one of three downstate gaming licenses in New York.
It added: “Both SL Green and Caesars have a proud history of working collaboratively with organized labor. Their proposed venture in Times Square will be no different. They have executed a Memorandum of Understanding to enter into a project labor agreement with BCTC, a neutrality agreement with HTC, and agreements of support from Mason Tenders – Locals 79-78-66-108-1261, the Freelancers Union, and the NYC District of Carpenters. In addition, they have signed labor peace agreements with Actors Equity Association and the American Federation of Musicians Local 802 – two prominent Broadway labor groups whose members will benefit from a stronger Times Square economy.”
“Not only will the development of Caesars Palace Times Square provide jobs for our members, it will also serve as a catalyst for local economic development, attracting visitors from around the world and stimulating spending at surrounding restaurants, hotels, and retail establishments. SL Green, Caesars, and Roc Nation estimate that a gaming and entertainment venue in Times Square will attract in excess of 10 million new visitors to New York City annually. That new influx of visitors will mean more shopping, more dining and, most importantly, more jobs for New Yorkers.”
“SL Green, Caesars, and Roc Nation have also committed hundreds of millions of dollars more in direct neighborhood investments to improve security, sanitation, traffic flow, and more — all of which will dramatically improve quality of life for visitors and residents. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform the beating heart of New York City’s commercial and entertainment sectors. We urge you to support Caesars Palace Times Square, and we look forward to working in collaboration to make this project a reality.”
Today’s letter is yet another example of Caesars Palace Times Square’s strong support among labor organizations. The bid has previously announced support from Actors Equity Association and the American Federation of Musicians Local 802, two major unions representing Broadway workers.
The full list of unions signing onto the letter is: Steamfitters Local 638, Mason Tenders’ District Council, Cement & Concrete Workers District Council #16, Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers Local Union 137, Cement Masons’ Local 780, Plasterers’ Local 262, Tile, Marble & Terrazzo BAC Local Union No. 7 of New York & New Jersey, District Council 9, Painters and Allied Trades International Union, Roofers Local Union No. 8, Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local Union No. 1, Sheet Metal Air, Rail and Transportation Workers Local Union 28, Local 12 Heat and Frost Insulators of New York City & Long Island, International Union of Elevator Constructors Local One, United Association of Journeymen & Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the US & Canada, Plumbers Local 1, Building Material Teamsters Local 282, New York City and Vicinity District Council of Carpenters, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union No. 3.