By Liz Benston
Fri, Jun 27, 2008 (2 a.m.)

Efforts to roll back Steve Wynn’s policy of sharing dealer tips with supervisors have suffered setbacks in recent months, but the fight is far from over.

The state Supreme Court is expected this month to uphold a state court ruling that dealers did not have the right to sue their employer over a matter that should be decided by Nevada’s labor commissioner.

After the appeal is resolved, the commissioner is expected to take up a complaint filed by Wynn dealers, a process that could take several months. Also, a complaint against Wynn is pending in federal court after the Nevada secretary of state rejected a ballot initiative attempting to roll back Wynn’s policy. The complaint challenges Nevada’s “single subject rule,” the basis for keeping numerous initiatives off the November ballot, as unconstitutional.

Unless the tip issue is resolved with a change in law or with a court decision forcing Wynn to reverse the policy, dealers say the issue will inspire more of their own to organize under the Transport Workers Union.                                                                                           [up]

By Liz Benston
Tue, Jun 24, 2008 (2 a.m.)

Over the past several months, newly organized dealers at Wynn Las Vegas and Caesars Palace have reached tentative agreements with their employers over contract terms spelling out job procedures, benefits and other basic aspects of the job.

Breaks? Check.

Stocked vending machines? Check.

Vacation time? Check.

But resolving more sensitive issues having to do with grievances and tip-sharing is testing the ability of the Transport Workers Union to flex its muscle at a time when it’s trying to organize still more dealers, this time at the Rio.

More than a year after dealers at Wynn Las Vegas voted nearly 3-1 for union representation, there’s no sign of a contract. Wynn became the first property to vote in the union after Steve Wynn implemented a controversial plan for dealers to share part of their tips with supervisors. Dealers at Caesars voted for union representation in December, and Rio dealers will vote July 12.

Joseph Carbon, director of Transport Workers Union Local 721, said it’s not unusual for first contracts to take at least a year.

“I know that we’re the new kids on the block in gaming, but this is expected,” even when workers are already unionized elsewhere, Carbon said. “We’re here to stay.”

Neither casino management nor the union will reveal particulars of their negotiations.

“We continue to meet with the TWU regularly and negotiate in good faith,” Wynn spokeswoman Jennifer Dunne said.

Gary Thompson, spokesman for Caesars and Rio owner Harrah’s Entertainment, added: “We continue to negotiate in good faith, but won’t discuss details of the talks.”

Any frustration among dealers at Wynn or Caesars Palace pales in comparison with what is playing out in Atlantic City, where dealers are represented by the United Auto Workers. Labor groups are criticizing Tropicana and Caesars in Atlantic City for dragging their feet in contract talks, and negotiations at two other casinos haven’t even begun because management is contesting the election results.

Gaming insiders say it’s unlikely that Wynn will reverse his tip policy — the central concern of Wynn dealers. And greater job security, a top concern at Caesars and the Rio, won’t be an easy sell for any of the casinos, which covet the ability to fire employees at will for infractions of varying severity.

It’s never been easy, winning a contract for organized dealers in this town.

About eight years ago, dealers at several Strip casinos voted for representation by the Transport Workers Union — only to cut bait with the union two years later because no contracts had been signed.

Wynn dealers promise to stick with a union this time because their earnings are at stake with the tip-sharing policy.

Rio dealer Debbie Bradley is hoping to organize under the Transport Workers Union even if it hasn’t struck a contract at Wynn and Caesars Palace.

“They say they have no plans to take our tokes, but companies are always making plans,” Bradley said of Rio management. “We need to protect what we have now.”

Executives at MGM Mirage have forwarded written promises to dealers not to have them share their tips with floor managers, and Bellagio dealers recently got a raise — a rarity for workers whose base wages are little more than the federal minimum. And Thompson said his company has “never contemplated” a change to its tip policy.

Still, some dealers at Caesars and Rio say they have more reason to worry: the possibility of dramatic staff cuts now that Harrah’s is privately held, and in the future, should the company change hands again.

In recent months, MGM Mirage has laid off more workers in Las Vegas than has Harrah’s, according to the companies’ estimates.

Besides concern over tip sharing, Rio workers say they worry about changes in their health care and retirement plans.

Roulette dealer David Fehrman said he resents what he calls “micromanaging” bosses who are requiring dealers to use players’ names in conversation, to tout restaurants and other hotel attractions to players and to “high-five” their wins.

“There’s a lot of pressure when you’re dealing high-stakes games. And now I’ve got to worry that I’ll get written up for not high-fiving a player while I’m trying to pay off players and people are grabbing chips off the table,” said Fehrman, who started at the Rio when it opened in 1990.

Thompson’s response: “No one enjoys sitting at a table with a grouchy dealer, and dealers who smile and otherwise engage with their customers generally earn higher tips.”

Fehrman said his top priority is keeping his job.

“Even after 18 years of commendable service in the business I go to work worried every day,” Fehrman said. “I want this to be my last job. But the only way I can do that is with a union.”                                                         [up]

Jun. 22, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- Shouting "Negotiate!" as they made their way through the streets, about 3,000 newly unionized casino workers and their supporters staged a rally Saturday aimed at pressuring Atlantic City casinos to agree to new contracts.

The marchers, angry over the lack of progress in talks with the gambling halls on what would be the resort's first union contracts for dealers, waved signs and chanted slogans as they walked past the major casinos. Police had cordoned off a few blocks for the protest, which lasted more than three hours.

Since the United Auto Workers started a major push to unionize dealers at all 11 Atlantic City casinos 15 months ago, it won representation elections at four casinos -- Caesars, Trump Plaza, the Tropicana Casino and Resort, and Bally's Atlantic City. It lost elections at Trump Marina Hotel Casino and the Atlantic City Hilton Casino Resort.

But officials say winning representation elections was the easy part; getting management to agree to and sign a contract has proven impossible thus far.

Among those taking part in the rally were UAW President Ron Gettelfinger; AFL-CIO President John Sweeney and Charlie Wowkanech, leader of the group's New Jersey chapter, along with officials from several national unions. Gov. Jon S. Corzine, U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez and some members of the state's Congressional delegation, Frank LoBiondo, Rob Andrews, Chris Smith and Bill Pascrell, also attended.                    [up]
 

UAW president will join Atlantic City protest

IN BRIEF
Jun. 21, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal 

The president of the United Auto Workers will take part in a protest march on behalf of casino workers in Atlantic City who have union representation but no contracts.

The Detroit News says Ron Gettelfinger will join AFL-CIO President John Sweeney in march today, along with four New Jersey U.S. House members and Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J.

More than 5,000 dealers, slot technicians and other employees have won six union representation elections at four major Atlantic City casinos: Caesars, Trump Plaza, Bally's and Tropicana since March 2007.

But the UAW says no contracts have been signed and some of the casinos refuse to negotiate.                                                                         [up]