ATLANTIC CITY, NJ—UNITE HERE Local 154president Bob McDevitt issued a harsh response tocomments made by Bankruptcy Court Judge KevinGross charging the union with not negotiating in goodfaith with Trump Entertainment to cut TajMahal employee benefits.

Judge Gross ruled last week that Trump Entertainment could stoppaying for health care and pensions of UNITE HERE Local 54 workersat the Taj Mahal. In addition to not negotiating in good faith, thejudge also said the union did not present witnesses at twoevidentiary hearings held earlier this month, according to thePress of Atlantic City.

Local 54's McDevitt called the bankruptcy court in Wilmington,DE a “kangaroo court.” He also accused attorneys representingprimary Taj debt holder Carl Icahn of lying in court. He chargedthat Icahn's attorneys said in talks with the union that Icahnwould have right of first refusal to any agreement between theunion and Trump Entertainment, but later in court denied sayingit.