By Jane M. Von Bergen, The Philadelphia InquirerMcClatchy-Tribune Business News

Feb. 3--They deal the cards for poker and blackjack in Atlantic City. They take the betting money placed on the horses in simulcast games. They preside over keno tables.

And the United Auto Workers wants to be their union.

On Thursday, the UAW filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board in Philadelphia to represent "1,000 full- and part-time dealers, cashiers, keno and simulcast" employees at Caesars Atlantic City.

If the union meets the requirements, the next step will be an election. If there are issues to be resolved, a hearing has been set for Feb. 12.

Alyce Parker, a spokeswoman for Harrah's, owner of Caesars, said yesterday that she had not heard of the union drive.

Gaming employees are the largest group of casino workers in Atlantic City not represented by a union. Unite Here! Local 54, the hospitality workers' union, represents most of the workers, including waitstaff, bartenders and hotel cleaners.

The dealers "have been trying for years to organize," said UAW International representative James Moore, who filed the petition.

He said workers reached out to the auto workers union because it represents casino dealers in Detroit. Unions have tried, but failed, to organize dealers in Las Vegas.

Moore said he expected a tough fight from Harrah's Entertainment Inc., which also owns three other Atlantic City casinos. "It's going to be quite a battle," he said. "They know we're moving it around."

But, he said, the union drive has strong support. UAW policy, he said, is not to file an organizing petition unless 60 percent to 65 percent of the workers sign it, putting the union in a stronger position to win an election.

Workers are worried about their 401(k) plans, wages and health care, Moore said.

Caesars employs 4,132, according to the New Jersey Casino Control Commission. The union has begun the process of filing with the commission, as required by law.

Contact staff writer Jane M. Von Bergen at 215-854-2769 or jvonbergen@Phillynews.com.

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