Taj Mahal seeks exit from union pension plan

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Kevin Gross scheduled a hearing for Thursday at noon on Trump Entertainment Resorts Inc.'s bid to withdraw from a pension plan for union workers at the Trump Taj Mahal Casino in Atlantic City.

Withdrawing from the Unite Here defined benefit pension plan is part of Trump Entertainment's effort to end its contract with Unite Here Local 54, which represents 1,136 employees at the Taj Mahal, and impose new terms with the blessing of the bankruptcy court.

Trump Entertainment argued in a conference call that it was urgent to consider the pension issue. Without court permission to withdraw from the pension fund, Trump Entertainment faces "the potential of liability, which would preclude a successful reorganization" Gross's order said. - Harold Brubaker