Indiana casino workers to seek help

August 23

Many hospitality workers at four northwest Indiana riverboat casinos are turning to the state for help. It is speculated that because of low wages and very high insurance premiums many of these workers simply can't afford it.

It is said that nearly a quarter or approximately 24% of the workers at the riverboat and hotel complexes state that they have signed up their children in Hoosier Healthwise. Hoosier Healthwise is a state subsidized program providing health insurance for children in need. It is also stated that another 17% or 1 in every six people have no health care coverage what so ever for their children.

It is noted that 9.8% of children are not covered by any health insurance.

Healthcare policies that cover children can cost riverboat employees up to 16% of a typical $22,000 annual earning. Some employees have even commented that they were forced to drop their policies for their children when healthcare costs rose to approximately $300 a month for each child.

Coverage for health care will be an issue in the upcoming contract negotiations that the union will be having with the four riverboats where they represent employees. These boats are the Blue Chip in Michigan City, Harrah's, and the Trump and Majestic Star in Gary.

At this time none of the above named casinos involved are not available for comment.

The union Local 1, does not represent the fifth casino in the area (Horseshoe in Hammond), but it is noted that these five casinos had a combined income of $87 million in June of this year. This is down from a reported $103 million in May.