Horseshoe Indianapolis Workers End Strike, Vote to Join Teamsters Local 135

Workers win vote, picket lines come down and union recognition follows

Workers at Horseshoe Indianapolis voted this week to join Teamsters Local 135, bringing a weeks-long strike to a close and marking a clear shift in the relationship between staff and management. The ballot result means the casino’s table-game staff have chosen formal union representation and have signaled they are ready to trade picket signs for a bargaining table.

How the walkout unfolded and what set it off

The strike began after contract talks between the casino and its table-game staff failed to bridge several key disagreements. Workers walked off the floor and formed picket lines that lasted for several weeks, keeping attention on pay, scheduling and staffing levels as the main flashpoints. During the walkout, the casino kept its doors open, and operations continued in a reduced form while both sides prepared for the formal vote on unionization.

For the workers, the pause in business was a direct response to what they said were persistent problems at the tables: unpredictable schedules, pressure to work extra shifts, and a belief that pay had not kept pace with the rising costs of living. Management framed the dispute around operational flexibility and the need to keep games running smoothly for customers. Those opposing views made the vote the natural next step for staff who wanted long-term protections written into a contract.

Who the new members are and what Local 135 brings

The group joining Teamsters Local 135 is primarily made up of table-game dealers and other floor staff who work directly with live games. The union will now represent these workers in collective bargaining, grievance procedures and contract enforcement. Union officials say Local 135 brings experience in negotiating wages, scheduling rules and benefits for hospitality and service workers in the region.

Exact vote totals were not immediately released. But the decision to unionize signals that a significant portion of the workforce backed formal representation to secure stable hours, clearer rules and a stronger voice in workplace decisions.

Immediate effects on the casino and the Shelbyville area

The vote ends the strike and allows the casino to begin the slow process of restoring normal operations. That matters for customers who favor table games, and for local businesses that rely on foot traffic from the casino. Restaurants, bars and hotels nearby likely felt the strain while strikes were active; a return to regular staffing should ease those pressures.

On the ground, the immediate scene will be one of repair: managers rehiring or reintegrating staff, schedules being rebuilt, and management and the new union preparing to open formal negotiations. Short-term disruptions can still linger — staffing gaps and customer frustration don’t vanish overnight — but both sides have incentive to settle quickly so the resort can return to full service.

How this fits into a bigger trend in hospitality and gaming

The Horseshoe vote is part of a broader wave of labor organizing in casinos and the wider hospitality sector. In recent years, workers across hotels, restaurants and gaming floors have pushed for formal union representation, driven by a mix of steady inflation, changing labor markets and a stronger willingness to organize after the pandemic.

That trend has changed how operators think about staffing and costs. Employers now face a more organized workforce that can demand predictable schedules, better benefits and mechanisms to resolve disputes. For the industry, more union wins mean bargaining will increasingly shape pay and work rules across markets rather than being settled solely by individual employers.

Next steps: bargaining, timelines and what to watch

With recognition secured, the real work begins. The union and casino management will open formal contract talks that could take weeks or months. Key sticking points to watch are wages, overtime rules, shift schedules, benefits and any language around subcontracting or management rights. Both sides may use mediators if talks stall; either side can reopen limited work actions if negotiations break down badly, though both also have reasons to avoid that outcome.

For local residents and patrons, the next signals will be practical: new schedules posted, any announcements about wage changes, and notices about how grievances will be handled. For workers, the union vote is a step toward formal protections and a way to hold the casino to agreed standards. For management, it is a shift toward negotiating with a collective voice rather than with individual employees.

The Horseshoe outcome does not settle every question about casino labor in the region, but it does mark a clear moment of change. It shows employees were willing to take the few weeks of hardship required to gain a permanent seat at the table — and it sets the stage for bargaining that could reshape how the casino treats its staff in the years ahead.

Photo: Valentin Ilas / Pexels

Sources

• prnewswire.com