In New York and thousands of commercial casino workers are reportedly expected to descend upon the state capital this Thursday morning in hopes of persuading Governor Andrew Cuomo (pictured) to re-open their facilities.
According to a report from The Citizen newspaper, casinos across ‘The Empire State’ closed in mid-March as part of a concerted effort to combat the potentially-lethal coronavirus pandemic. Although the numerous tribal gambling facilities spread across upstate New York subsequently re-opened, the jurisdiction’s commercial venues are still in lockdown and must secure Cuomo’s okay before reviving post-pandemic operations.
Great gathering:
The newspaper reported that the Albany rally is being led by Greg Mallette from Oneida County’s Vernon Downs Casino Hotel as well as Valerie McIntyre and Robin Torr from the nearby Tioga Downs Casino Resort and Del Lago Resort and Casino respectively. This trio is purportedly set to be joined by approximately 5,200 compatriots in a campaign that will ask the Democratic governor to allow their employers to safely revive commercial casino operations.
McIntyre reportedly told The Citizen…
“We need to work. We don’t want to keep collecting your unemployment. Let us earn what we deserve. We are ready to go back to work.”
Contentious concerns:
The Citizen reported that Cuomo last month declared that New York’s commercial casinos were to remain shuttered owing to the ‘density’ of their gaming areas alongside ‘the likelihood of compliance and the essential nature of the business.’ He purportedly also proclaimed that ‘you don’t need a casino to maintain survival’ and has yet to release any sort of timetable for their re-opening.
Explicit encouragement:
However, Mallette reportedly disagrees as told the newspaper that his campaign set up a pro-revival Facebook group that has already attracted over 860 members and seen an associated petition gain in excess of 2,400 signatures of support.
Mallette reportedly told the newspaper…
“When you are putting us in a position where we just have no guidance, we have no idea whatsoever. We don’t know if it’s going to be next week, if it’s going to be two weeks or if we are going to get to October 1 and we’re all going to be laid off. That’s the worst part of it.”
Fallback format:
Should this week’s Albany rally not result in the desired outcome and the group reportedly told The Citizen that it is planning to hold similar events at commercial casinos across New York including the Del Lago Resort and Casino.