Hann casino table games workers union in Philippines win election

The Hann Casino Table Games Workers Union – National Federation of Labor (NFL) in Pampanga, Philippines triumphed in its Certification Election (CE), securing 331 votes and winning the mandate to represent casino and hotel employees.

The union, composed of rank-and-file employees of Hann Casino Resort, was formed in response to persistent grievances: lack of transparency in tip distribution, dangerous working conditions due to exposure to cigarette smoke, prolonged contractualization, and inhumane work shifting schedules. These workplace realities pushed the workers to organize and seek representation under the NFL, a national federation affiliated with UNI Global Union.

Among the most distressing issues was what workers called the “jump shift” system—scheduling practices that forced employees to report for another eight-hour shift just eight hours after completing the last. The toll was grueling, both physically and mentally.

“Before this union, we had no voice—it was exhausting on every level,” said Joel Romeo Bao-ilan, union president and a pioneer employee who had been with Hann Casino since it opened in December 2021. “We could work from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM, then be scheduled again at 2:00 PM that same day. That only gives us four hours of real rest—if we’re lucky. Two hours to get home, two hours to return—what’s left for sleep, recovery, or time with our families?”

Joel added, “This system didn’t just harm our health—it clearly violated the Labor Code’s eight-hour workday mandate. Because of the jump shift setup, we were effectively working 16 hours within a 24-hour period. It was relentless. Without hazard pay, humane schedules, or job security, it felt like we were trapped in a cycle of burnout, living day to day with no future.”

Shortly after the union filed for registration and a request for Sole and Exclusive Bargaining Agent (SEBA) status on March 13, 2025, Joel was handed multiple Notices to Explain (NTEs), suspended, and eventually terminated by management. Despite these union-busting efforts, the organizing drive only grew stronger. Workers rallied around a shared vision: dignity, fairness, and protection.

“Two days before the election, management deliberately assigned rest days to workers who supported the union. They even moved the voting site farther away,” Joel recalled. “But we pressed on. We talked to our co-workers, especially those who wanted change. We reminded them that our wages did not reflect the scale of the casino’s profits. This is a billion-peso business, and yet our pay is equivalent to those in small retail shops.”

The CE, held on June 18 and 19, marked the culmination of months of struggle and determination. When the results came in, workers erupted in celebration.

“It’s hard to describe the joy we felt. After four years of enduring these conditions with little to no voice, we now see hope,” Joel said. “This is not just a victory—it’s a door opening. For the first time, we see the possibility of a better, more secure future for all of us.”

“This victory sends a powerful message—not just to Hann Casino, but to the entire sector,” said Roland De La Cruz, President of UNI’s Philippine Liaison Council (UNI-PLC). “Even in sectors with immense financial power and entrenched anti-union policies, workers can organize and win. The courage and unity shown by the Hann Casino workers are nothing short of inspiring. Their fight is far from over—but with their union now firmly in place, they have the strength and solidarity to win the dignity, security, and justice they long deserved. We will stand with them every step of the way.”

With their mandate secured, the union is preparing to submit a letter of intent to bargain with Hann Casino management. They plan to negotiate for substantial wage increases, hazard pay for frontline risks, and security of tenure to address the widespread use of fixed-term contracts in non-project-based roles. Along with these are two full rest days per week, a 14th-month pay, and retirement benefits for long-serving employees.

“We stand in full solidarity with the Hann Casino Table Games Workers Union,” said Rajendra Acharya, Regional Secretary of UNI Asia & Pacific. “This victory shows that no amount of union-busting can suppress the power of workers standing together. Now it is time for Hann management to respect the democratic will of its employees and negotiate a fair and just collective agreement.”

“We are ready for the next battle—collective bargaining,” said Antonio Fulgado, General Secretary of NFL and Treasurer of UNI-PLC. “We are now preparing the draft collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and rolling out training sessions for the workers of Hann Casino to ensure they negotiate from a position of strength. We will fight to secure substantial wage increases, safer working conditions, and job security. This victory is just the beginning.”

As the Hann Casino Table Games Workers Union advances into collective bargaining, their triumph is more than symbolic—it’s a clear reminder that no sector is beyond the reach of worker power. In solidarity, there is strength—and in strength, there is change.