For Wynn dealers, deal slow to come

Still no contract a year after union vote, but Rio counterparts undaunted

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.

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Group opposing Wynn tip sharing plan to protest Culinary role (4-20-2008)

Associated Press: Reno bus drivers, management, to resume contract talks (6-4-2008)
Transport Workers Union of America

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.”

Discussion: 8 comments so far…

By SPFPAUNIONYES

6/24/08 at 7:18 a.m.

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Atlantic City Police Department stays out of UNION crew's path during march

Vowing that "We Are Going to Shut This Town Down," local AFL-CIO leader Roy Foster told a crowd of thousands at Saturday's union rally that they weren't going to march down the Boardwalk, as was previously announced. Instead, they were going to march straight down the center of Atlantic City along Pacific Avenue - a street the organizers did not have a permit to use.

Afterward, Foster and Atlantic City Mayor Scott Evans said they'd do it all again, once every month, until employees at four casinos see progress in their negotiations with management.

"Let's get ready to rumble," said Foster, president of the Atlantic-Cape May County AFL-CIO Central Labor Council, as he announced the new route for the march. "I say today it's an eye for an eye."

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/185/s...
By catch

6/24/08 at 10:12 a.m.

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Great debate on all this at casinodealers.net - dicedealer.com forums "The union debate" - Seems to be fair and balanced with very good points made from both sides.
By BigStack

6/24/08 at 1:19 p.m.

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In the end, I don't think they'll get a contract without a strike. And the only way a strike will work is if Culinary honors the picket lines. Otherwise, those dealers will be replaced in 15 minutes (by the hordes of dealers at the break-in houses that would kill for those jobs, tip sharing and all.)
By lhg1014

6/25/08 at 12:33 a.m.

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I am also a dealer at the Rio. I have known David Fehrman for many years and here is my comment regarding what he said:
First of all, David has not worked at the Rio since they opened, he did start when they opened, however, he quit for some time and came back. I wonder why he would return to a job that is so stressful for him.
Second, 'High stakes games'..? I don't think so.
In regards to the rest of this nonsense, management has already told us several times that they have no intention of forcing us to share our tips with floor bosses or anyone else.
I do not believe we need a union at all.
In the 18+ years the Rio has been open I can't think of a single employee who has been fired for no reason. If you come to work and do your job the way we are supposed to, you will have a job to come to. Come on people, aren't we adults?
Finally, since Harrah's has owned the Rio, our tips have gone up steadily every year. Yes, they want us to smile, be friendly, and high five the players, but let's remember, these people are on vacation. Don't we all want to have fun while on vacation? I know when I am made to feel special (by having someone remember and use my name, for example) I am much more likely to tip a little more generously.
Overall, it is a small price to pay for a very big reward.
By riodealer

6/25/08 at 9:33 p.m.

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I, too, am a Rio dealer and I fully agree with lhg1014...management has always been fair with all of us. The only way you get fired at the Rio is to steal or point out...both of which are controlled by you and only you! Dave Fehrman and all the rest of the in house organizers should put as much effort into their job as they do rallying for the union to come in to protect them. The Rio signs our paycheck and if they say we are to do things a certain way, just do it! Being friendly, high-fiving and smiling are just many ways management gives us the go ahead for a little soft hustle...wow, imagine that...a way to increase our tokes and these union organizers want to put a stop to it!
By MrCdnVegas

6/26/08 at 12:14 p.m.

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I feel that I can say the following as I have been a union member (UWA) and worked in a union shop.

1)The union protects the lazy, and promotes and rewards everyone the same reguardless of the effort, or lack there of, that you put into your job.

2) The union will only provide their side to members and will only point out the negative in any situation.

I worked in a truck plant that was shut down and moved. The union had no power to stop this, and after 25+ years of most of the plant staff being union they got nothing for the years of dues they paid into the union.

Why did they move the plant...the cost of operations which was mostly staffing costs. I can honestly say that we had almost twice the staff that was required, and they were paid way more than what was fair. I would now much rather have worked a little harder, and got paid a little less but still have my job at the plant.

Now you may say that they could never move or shut down the RIO for example...well do you really want to bet on that.
By Phoenix23

6/26/08 at 3:24 p.m.

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I too am a RIO dealer for 14 years...YES..they have put into a memo stating that they will not touch our tokes..but it is ONLY a memo...We have asked for a legal binding agreement SIGNED by our Management but they feel it is not neccassary..they want us to trust them..!!!Also job security.. it is What Management decides it is..also it infuriates us That as a dealer that has been here for 14 years barely making above minimum wage that a new dealer will be making the same amount as most of us come July when minimum wage increases to 7.25 per hour,,...Also our tokes have steadily gone up since Harrahs took over but they did DECLINE in 2007 and are DEFINITELY on the DECLINE in 2008...This is why we as DEALERS need a fair wage because this is the only TRUE money we can count on..!!!Seniority is another issue...Management uses or abuses this to fit their needs..I know this has affected myself and others..!!!So obviously we all have different opinions about the UNION and we all should vote on what we feel is best for us ...!!!! I FOR ONE will vote yes...!!!!
By HVSamm

6/30/08 at 8:47 a.m.

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Wow, can't we all see the difference between workers and whiners. On one hand you have people who are saying give me an opportunity and I'll make the most for myself, on the other you have Phoenix23 crying out for someone to protect him. Welcome to the real world where most of us only eat what we kill. You want higher salaries because business is slow and your tips are down. OK, so when business is strong again you won't have a problem taking a pay cut?
There is an easy answer, go take a risk, start your own business and you make the rules. Don't have the guts for that then respect the business leaders that did and I think the odds are they will respect and reward those that work hard and earn what they get.