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NLRB
files complaint against Wynn Las Vegas
Jan. 04, 2007
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
By BENJAMIN SPILLMAN
REVIEW-JOURNAL
The National Labor Relations Board has issued a complaint
accusing developer Steve Wynn and six managers at Wynn Las
Vegas of threatening workers with job losses and reduced
income if they joined a union or protested changes to the
way the casino distributes card dealers' tips.
The complaint, which is dated Dec. 28, is the latest
development in a continuing dispute over Wynn's decision
to use a portion of dealers' tips to give raises to casino
managers.
Wynn executives say the change corrects a pay imbalance
that had managers making less money than dealers they
supervised. Dealers say the company shouldn't use dealer
tip money to give raises to managers.
If an administrative law judge decides Wynn violated labor
laws, it could cause trouble for the company with Nevada
gaming regulators, who have the power to fine, or even
shut down, casinos in the state.
Several dealers have complained of threats if they joined
sidewalk protests in front of Wynn Las Vegas calling for a
reversal of the tip policy that went into effect Sept. 1.
"There were enough witnesses that the charges stuck," said
Jack Lipsman, a retired card dealer who helped organize
the protests. "Now (Wynn) has to appear before a judge and
answer the complaint."
A spokeswoman for Wynn Resorts Ltd. who last week said
threat allegations were untrue did not return a call
Wednesday to comment on the National Labor Relations Board
Complaint.
Cynthia Fields, a roulette and blackjack dealer at the
casino, made the allegations that led to the complaint.
She was joined by craps dealer Tynesia Boone and blackjack
and craps dealer Tramel McKenzie.
Fields said the problem started in a meeting between Wynn,
company management and dealers to discuss the new tip
policy.
That's where Fields said Wynn yelled at her, slammed his
fist on the table and threatened the jobs of employees who
protest or join a union.
"I was terrified when I went out of that meeting," Fields
said. "I was doing everything I could to not cry."
The government investigated the allegations and gave Wynn
a chance to respond, said Stephen Wamser, deputy regional
attorney for the National Labor Relations Board.
"If we are unable to settle the case, we will issue a
complaint," Wamser said.
Wynn has until Jan. 11 to respond in writing to the
complaint. And a hearing in Las Vegas before an
administrative law judge from San Francisco is scheduled
for Feb. 1.
If the judge agrees with the government, he could order a
remedy. Wamser said it could include a posting in the
casino.
And if Wynn is found to be violating labor laws, it could
have repercussions with the Nevada Gaming Control Board,
according to board chairman Dennis Neilander.
"That could be determined to be an unsuitable method of
operation," Neilander said.
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