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With
all of casino dealers' complaints, union seemed like sure bet
It
must have seemed like a good idea at the time:
Tuesday,
February 13, 2001
Las Vegas Review-Journal
COLUMN: John L. Smith
Organize
a group of Las Vegas workers who traditionally toiled for slightly
more than minimum wage; relied on the generosity of customers for
survival; were hounded by the Internal Revenue Service; constantly
inhaled second-hand cigarette smoke on the job; endured abuses
from patrons and supervisors; experienced fickle scheduling
demands; and knew their age and years of experience could be held
against them.
Surely any labor organization worth its charter would be capable
of rallying such a group of beleaguered wage slaves, who perhaps
didn't realize that they literally held the fate of the Las Vegas
economy in their hands.
So why is the Transportation Workers Union of New York losing the
battle to organize Southern Nevada's casino dealers?
A number of reasons, I suspect.
On Saturday, dealers at Bally's resoundingly rejected the union's
organization effort. Last week, dealers at the Riviera voted
against going union. The Transportation Workers has also lost
votes at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas Hilton and Monte Carlo, winning
only at the Tropicana and Stratosphere. With four more votes
scheduled for the next 30 days, labor organizers will have to work
magic worthy of Lance Burton to reverse the tide.
It's important to note that many of the workers who rejected the
union's overtures previously signed cards inviting the labor
organization onto the property. Up to 80 percent of the casino
dealers signed cards welcoming union representation,
Transportation Workers organizer Frank Trotti said.
So, are the dealers just fickle? Did they have a group change of
heart? Were they intimidated, er, persuaded by management that
their futures were brighter if they remained nonunion?
Hotel officials, dizzy from their successful shellacking of the
union, have been quick to congratulate themselves as caring,
professional employers. The dealers didn't organize, they say,
because they realize they have it pretty good.
Trotti counters that many workers failed to take time to
understand the meaning of organizing and instead were swayed by
propaganda presented by a professional crew of union busters.
Workers attended mandatory meetings and pep rallies in an attempt
by management to quiet the whispers of discontent.
The Transportation Workers was criticized for coming from out of
town. Rumors were rampant at several resorts that the union would
immediately call a strike if it prevailed, which Trotti called
silly. He estimated the resorts are spending millions to keep the
union out.
"They're effective," a frustrated Trotti said.
"They're scaring them. They're telling half truths, that
we're not the right union because we're from out of town, that we
don't have a local here. We knew it was going to be a struggle.
We're disappointed for the dealers, but the Transportation Workers
Union is giving them the opportunity to vote, and not many
opportunities come to people in this country to even vote for a
union. I feel bad for the people who stuck their necks out. But
it's not the Transportation Workers Union against the resorts.
It's the employees against the corporations to get a fair and
decent contract."
After all, he argues, it's not as if thousands of other casino
resort workers aren't represented by unions such as the Culinary
Local 226.
"Every union person in this town knows these people need a
contract, and they still don't do it. This is not our struggle.
This is their struggle. This is a way for them to get dignity and
respect on the job. We're just a vehicle."
One that a majority of casino dealers continues to reject.
Throughout the year, I get a steady stream of complaints from
local dealers, who lament everything from their tax problems and
small paychecks to their staggered shifts and extra board
purgatory. They allege they are sexually harassed by managers and
victimized when it comes to insurance and retirement benefits.
From carpal tunnel syndrome to second-hand smoke, the complaints
are plentiful.
But not nearly as numerous as all those "no" votes.
* * *
John
L. Smith's column appears Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and
Sunday. E-mail him at Smith@lasvegas.com or call him at 383-0295.
This
story is located at:
http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2001/Feb-13-Tue-2001/news/15432232.html
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