ATLANTIC CITY, NJ—A somewhat raucous, but peaceful protest by approximately 500 members of the UNITE HERE Local 54 was staged in front of the Taj Mahal casino on Friday over plans by owner Trump Entertainment and investor Carl Icahn to take away their health care and pension benefits.

A federal nullified the Taj union contract earlier this month, stripping away company-paid health care and replacing pension plans with 401(k)s. That ruling would save Icahn about $14.8 million, according to The Inquirer.

Icahn has threatened to shut down the Taj Mahal if he does not obtain concessions from Local 54 as well as $175 million in state aid and other tax breaks. If those key elements are secured, Icahn has said he would invest approximately $100 million into the Taj Mahal.

“No health care, no peace!" the union workers shouted during the three-hour protest. State Senate President Stephen Sweeney said last week he would take no legislative action that would aid Icahn in connection with his Taj Mahal demands. Last Wednesday, Taj Mahall owner Trump Entertainment Resorts Inc. said the casino would stay open at least through November. See story in The Inquirer.