A federal appeals court has sided with an Atlantic City casino dealer who says he was targeted because he was involved in union organizing.

Bally's Park Place fired Jose Justiniano in 2007. The casino claimed he misused family medical leave time by attending a pro-union rally on a day he took time off to care for his daughter.

Justiniano had been active in casino unionizing efforts.

A judge upheld the firing, but the National Labor Relations Board disagreed and said it was unlawful.

Friday's ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., agreed with the NLRB. It noted that Justiniano attended the rally for 20 minutes. It also said Bally's policy on family leave didn't justify the firing.

A message was left seeking comment from an attorney representing Bally's.