United Auto Workers says AFl-CIO is undermining its efforts to ban casino smoking, asks to formally disassociate

NEW JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — The issue of smoking in casinos has caused a rift between organized labor unions. The United Auto Workers say the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations ( AFl-CIO ) has been undermining its efforts to ban smoking.

Local UAW leaders say they no longer want to be affiliated with the AFL-CIO and have sent a letter asking to formally disassociate. UAW Region 9 Assistant Director Raymond Jensen Jr. says his members won’t be paying the $1,500 quarterly dues bill on Oct. 1.

“We gotta be fiscally responsible and if it’s an organization that doesn’t stand with workers' health and safety, we can’t justify being in that institution,” Jensen Jr. said.

The UAW represents some but not all casino workers.

Jensen Jr. says the AFL-CIO has betrayed every single union worker by supporting smoking in casinos, but they aren’t taking it anymore.

“We’re coming for anybody and everybody that stands in our way,” he said.

KYW Newsradio reached out to AFL-CIO for comment but they didn’t respond.