Sunday, August 15, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

LETTER: Mega-mergers threaten gaming employees

Key is to end `at-will' employment laws

To the editor:

John L. Smith, in his "Sacking of `no-rehire' policy ..." commentary of July 21, points to the bleachers like Babe Ruth, but only bunts the ball.

He's dead-on though, when he says the growth of the corporate casino giants has veteran gaming employees scared. But he is wrong when he says that elimination of the "no-rehire" box in job applications will help applicants to get or keep a job. The fact is that the casino powers have demanded that Nevada statutes include the "at-will" provision in its employment law, and the Legislature has dutifully complied.

The implications are that gaming managers can fire, or threaten to fire, any employee without a reason or cause, i.e. at will. Were they required to give a reason it would provide the employee the means to contest the action. This, the casinos do not want.

They say they need this absolute and uncontestable power over their workers. Why? Other industries manage just fine without it. One must ask: Why does the gaming industry need this power?

Of course, MGM's Alan Feldman was quick to report that the company had officially discontinued the practice of flagging applications, and by so doing hoped to defuse the opposition to its pending merger. The timing of this so-called change of heart is highly suspicious.

Other questions we need to ask before we allow these mega-mergers to take place is: Who will be looking out for the rights of the casino workers? How will they be able to do so with Nevada's at-will employment policy in place?

Union workers are not subject to "at-will" policy; they work under the "just-cause" doctrine included in their negotiated contracts. These contracts create a system of workplace justice sorely needed in Nevada's casinos.

Prior to the casino merger fever gripping the industry, workers felt fairly secure that they could find work at another casino should they ever get fired. Not so any more. Losing a gaming job these days will lock out an individual from opportunities at nearly half the casinos in town. You think that doesn't put fear into the hearts of dealers? Think again!

The International Union of Gaming Employees has made several attempts in the past decade to get dealers to form a union, and also lobbied the Legislature to put an end to at-will terminations. But all arguments have fallen on deaf ears. The dealers felt that if the worst happened and they got fired, they would simply get a job in one of the other casinos in town. But casino workers should ask themselves: If unions do not benefit workers, why do unions represent all teachers, firefighters, police and public employees?

Unless these mergers are stopped, and the "just cause" employment standards are adopted, dealers will find future job searches will lead to nothing but a blind alley.

TONY BADILLO

JACK LIPSMAN

LAS VEGAS

Mr. Badillo is president of International Union of Gaming Employees. Mr. Lipsman is the group's vice president.