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We started in 1989 with the formation of the Nevada
Casino Dealers Association (NCDA) by a small group of veteran dealers who
felt that dealers needed a collective voice.
Our goal was to establish an association that would create a force for
political action to convince our lawmakers in Carson City that we deserved to be heard.
The large resorts had unlimited resources and seemed to have a lock on the legislature. In
a word, we needed to level the playing field.
Along with political action we offered political education. And we
provided legal help and referral to attorneys for dealers who had work related issues,
such as work injury disabilities, terminations, harassment and second hand smoke. On the
smoke issue we filed a lawsuit against eighteen tobacco companies on behalf of all Nevada
casino dealers, which by the way, is still in litigation.
We have had some successes along the
way, but because we were not a union we were not recognized as legal representatives of
the dealers. Management was not compelled to deal with us. In addition to that obstacle,
we took note of the fact that casinos were springing up everywhere, from coast to
coast.
It was these two factors, essentially, which caused us to lift our
sights and visualize the transformation of the NCDA into a national
organization. Officially, this change will take place on July 1, 2000. The new
organization will be called the National Federation of Gaming Employees (NFGE)
and it will offer a home to every gaming employee in the country, and additionally, it
will be dedicated to establishing a union presence in every casino nationwide.
We all have a lot of work to do to make this goal a reality. We want to
change what has become a mediocre job into a sterling career. Think of it this way: it is
not what the NFGE can do for you, but rather, what we can do for each
other. Take the first step. Click the Membership button now and join with us in this
endeavor.
Our main purpose in creating
this site is to offer you, the gaming employee, a way to achieve
solidarity with your fellow workers. We ask that you
join with us to form a union for your benefit and security. Our
Charter is to develop standards to improve working conditions and job security; to
fight for better wages and benefits; to negotiate improved retirement and health
plans and all through collective bargaining
and guaranteed by contract. The
old days of working at the whim of the
"boss" will be over.
Alone we are weak --- in
union there is strength!
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