Mashantucket — Foxwoods Resort Casino management has agreed to offer voluntary severance packages to unionized table-games dealers seeking to leave their jobs.

Local 2121 of the United Auto Workers has 1,156 members, all of whom were put out of work March 17 when the coronavirus outbreak forced Foxwoods to close for the first time in its history. The closure, which was expected to last two weeks, dragged on for two-and-a-half months.

A number of dealers were called back to work shortly before Foxwoods’ partial reopening June 1, while others remain laid off. Fewer table-game positions have been in use since the reopening. The poker room, for example, remains closed.

Some dealers privately have said they’re reluctant to return to work amid the pandemic.

Before the shutdown, Local 2121 and casino management began negotiating a new contract to replace the previous one that expired Dec. 31, 2019. The union had negotiated guarantees that certain benefits, including medical and dental benefits, would continue for the duration of the shutdown.

Employees who were not called back to work prior to the reopening lost their health insurance.

Local 2121 “sought to rectify this situation and entered into discussions with the employer,” the local’s president, John Del Monte, wrote in a website post. At the same time, management sought relief from contract language that spelled out minimum staffing levels.

“Through the course of our discussions, the Union identified many bargaining unit members who were seeking to be separated from Foxwoods permanently and were seeking severance …,” DelMonte wrote. “The Employer did not seek to lay off any employee permanently and has maintained they believe all bargaining unit members will be returned to work.”

Voluntary layoff packages will be awarded to 100 union members, based on seniority.

Management has agreed not to challenge unemployment claims of those who accept voluntary layoff.

b.hallenbeck@theday.com