By Rolando Larraz, Las Vegas Tribune

     A group lead by casino owner Steve Wynn responded to the initiative petition filed by the International Union of Gaming Employees (IUGE) with the Secretary of State to make it unlawful for employers to seize workers’ tips.

      It is well known that casino, hotel and restaurant employees have depended on tips to make up for the insufficiency of their very low salary; but now casino owner Steve Wynn wants to change a working system that has served the tip-earners working force for years.

    Wynn wants to change the system and personally take control and possession of the employees’ money, attempting to set a precedent in the tip-earning community.

CASINO OWNER STEVE WYNN
 

      The IUGE has been aggressively fighting this policy since September of 2006 and is trying to alert all tip-earners to the potential danger of this oppressive policy. "If this takes place and is tolerated in the Wynn Resort, nothing will stop other entities from following its lead," says Tony Badillo, president and founder of IUGE.

       However, at present there are no casinos agreeing with Steve Wynn. In fact, in a letter sent to every one of his employees, Terry Lanni, CEO of the MGM Mirage, stated, "Dealers' tips are your income. The money you earn belongs to you and you alone. Our company will not implement any type of tip-sharing program at any of our resorts." Lanni's letter was obtained by the Las Vegas Tribune and was published in the January 30 edition.

       Among Steve Wynn’s allies in this effort to stop this initiative are the Nevada Restaurant Association, Nevada Tavern Association, and Nevada Motor Transport Association; such alliance gives the impression that these groups may turn against their workers and take their money.

       The taxi and limousine drivers may have to give up their tips to pay for a supervisor or dispatcher's salary if Steve Wynn is allowed to continue with this destructive policy.

     Restaurant employees outside the casinos, such as those at Denny's, Applebee's, Blueberry Hill, and even the Sahara Saloon and other mom-and-pop neighborhood operations, could be subjected to this oppressive policy.

      Also supporting Wynn's efforts are Nevada Manufacturers Association and the Retail Association of Nevada, even though those groups do not depend heavily on gratuities.

       "Having their names involved in this opposition is an effort on Steve Wynn's part to show the support that he may not have, giving the appearance that the group has more strength that it really has," stated Jack Lipsman, Vice President of the IUGE and PEST organizer.

       PEST is a committee created by the IUGE to prevent employers from seizing tips. The organization is sponsoring the initiative filed on January 16 of this year with the Secretary of State.

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