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ATLANTIC CITY (WPVI) --

It was 26 years ago that Donald Trump opened the massive Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City to great fanfare, a facility that cost more than a billion dollars to build.

But now, under new principle owner Carl Icahn, union casino workers have been on strike since July, first in a dispute over health care and pension payments, benefits that were stripped away last October as part of a casino bankruptcy Federal court order.

And on the eve of what would be the longest strike by AC casino workers, Tropicana Entertainment announced it was shutting down after Labor Day.

In a statement, President and CEO Tony Rodio says in part: "Currently the Taj is losing multi-millions a month, and now with this strike, we see no path to profitability."

But the workers' union boss has a different take on Carol Icahn.

"He's decided to take his ball and go home. This is playground-bully tactics," said Unite Here Local 54 President Bob McDevitt.

The shutdown would leave roughly 2,500 cooks, housekeepers, bellmen, bartenders, cocktail servers and others without jobs, many who have been with the Taj since its opening in April 1990.

"Real shocking to know that it would come to this. I mean we've been served notices before, their intention on closing, and we had no idea it would come now," said Chuck Baker, assistant chef.

"If we don't work, our community doesn't work. If we don't work that means our restaurants, our nail salons, our bars, our entertainment centers," said Tina Condos, cocktail waitress. "We are the people that support our local community."

The Taj would join four other AC casinos that have already closed. The Showboat has re-opened as a "hotel only" under a new owner, and the massive $2.1 billion Revel Resort and Casino remains shut down.

Its new owner was expecting to open in June, but that's now been pushed back to September. Perhaps workers could find jobs there, but for many, it's tough.

"They're all gonna have to go out and look for jobs, and try to keep their homes and keep their families together," said Peter Battaglini, bellman.

Mayor Don Guardian released the following statement Wednesday afternoon:

"It's unfortunate and disappointing that no resolution was found to keep the Taj Mahal open with the hopes of making it profitable again. My thoughts and prayers are with the hard working men and women who will be losing their jobs after Labor Day. Although these are still tough economic times, Atlantic City has been resilient for over 160 years and we will continue to do so, as we rise to meet any challenge ahead of us."