How One Homeless Woman Helped Double the Paychecks of 1,400 Workers

By
Ilya Marritz
WNYC News | Dec 20, 2013

Natalie Abreu, a single mother of three, lived in a homeless shelter in the Bronx, while commuting to her job as a cleaner at a casino in Queens. The trip could take two hours each way or longer, depending on the time of day.

Abreu says with a wage of around $10 an hour, she just wasn’t making enough to pay the rent and all her bills.

This year, the casino workers, represented by the Hotel Trades Council, tried to negotiate higher wages with Resorts World casino. When talks stalled, both sides agreed to bring the matter to an arbitrator.

Her story featured prominently during the meetings with the arbitrator who later ruled that wages for the casino's employees should rise.  For Abreu and nearly 1,400 other workers at the casino, wages have nearly doubled. Non-tipped workers now make around $22 an hour, and their pay will rise every year, until it reaches around $32 an hour by 2014.

Profile Image
Ilya Marritz

WNYC is funded by sponsors and member donations

WNYC Homepage - Top Stories

Knicks title run could overlap with World Cup, causing potential headaches at Penn Station

The busy train hub beneath Madison Square Garden could turn into a mess if the region hosts a World Cup and NBA Finals game on the same day.
Gothamist |

Gov. Hochul's Climate Law Rollback

Jon Campbell reports that the state may loosen the emissions goals in the landmark 2019 climate law.
The Brian Lehrer Show |

A Documentary Shadows the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team in the Leadup to the World Cup

All Of It with Alison Stewart |

New Jerseyans who take ADHD meds face a return to pre-pandemic prescription rules

Starting Saturday, people who take medications such as Adderall and Ritalin will again need to see a doctor in person for prescriptions.
WNYC News |

How they handle crises in Brownsville, often without police

At least twice a year, nonprofit workers from the neighborhood spend a week calming disputes and responding to most 311 and 911 calls on certain blocks in the neighborhood.
WNYC News |
YOU ARE ONLINE