I heard it said that Friday the 13th is an unlucky day, will in the case of the Mandalay Security Professionals this is the sad truth. Sad for the 110 officers that voted yes, in hopes they could collective bargain and have say in their furture. It is even sadder for the 123 officers who voted no, for they are victims and fell prey to the company's "it will be a better tomorrow, trust us" speech. I guess once you are Unionized and have a say in the workplace it so hard to image working without a contract which outlines your guaranteed wages and raises, your benefits, and work conditions. I really hope that the Mandalay Casino officers get a chance at a re-vote and this time stand united and are not fooled by the union busters that the company pays with money that could be used for the benefit of you, the Security Professionals who works so hard for so little.I truely wish you all the best and if you get a re-vote, CLAIM THE POWER, TAKE STOCK IN YOURSELF, LET YOUR VOICES BE HEARD!! If you have any questions that you feel a real working Casino Security Professional, and proud member of the SPFPA can anwser please E-Mail me at prez1227@sbcglobal.net- In Unity & GOOD LUCK!

To all the casino Security Professionals of Las Vegas: My name is Dwayne Phillips and I am the President of SPFPA Local 1227, and I work for Greektown Casino in Detroit, Michigan. We are currently in contract negotiations for our second contract, where myself and our elected Executive Board, by the rights of our SPFPA membership, are able to bargain with the casino Management team. At the bargaining table we openly discuss our wages, benefits, and working conditions and once we reach agreement on the issues, the final draft is brought to the membership for a yeah or nay vote. The right to bargain and getting your individual voice heard (thru your reps) is a excusive right of union membership. When you vote yes for the SPFPA you are taking stock in YOUR future, standing up for YOUR RIGHTS that many before us fought hard for. Think about it... every vendor, every contrator, and most likely the very COO of the Casino has a contract, outlining their wages or prices, working conditions, etc, WHY SHOULD THE VERY WORKERS THAT SECURE THE COMPANY'S MONEY AND ASSESTS BE EXCLUDED FROM THE SAME PRIVILEGE !!! I read some of the other posted comments which talks about dues, yes paying dues is a part of union membership, but not one dollar is collected (or asked for) until you get a contract passed by the membership. I see it as a risk free offer !!
In closing, I want to talk about Steve Maritas. Before we became a SPFPA Local, Steve was there seeing us through the first steps and the management scare tactics, and not only him but the entire staff at the SPFPA Headquaters in Roseville, Michigan. I am currently a Military Reservist (after serving 10 yrs active duty)I am finishing my 20 years serving this great country of ours, and I have been on the road a few times with Steve, I have to tell all my Military Brothers and Sisters, that Steve has only the greatest respect for our conutry and those who fight for it. Steve is a fighter in his own right, I have personally witnessed, during an organizing drive, where another union was present and they would not cross the street, which would have given them direct access to the workers, but Steve w/ his fighting spirit grabed some handbills and walked right across the street and started passing them out and talking to the casino Security Officers and other workers as well. Now I am sure the other union won't admit it but I was there and I know Steve being there crushed the momentum of the Union Buster's efforts and when the votes were cast the other union and SPFPA won the right to represent their respected workers. Security Professionals don't allow yourselves to focus on anything but the truth and that is COMPANYS DON'T LIKE ORGANIZERS, DON'T LIKE UNIONS, BECAUSE THEY ENPOWER THE WORKERS AND GIVE THEM A SAY IN THEIR FUTURE...JOIN US, JOIN THE SPFPA, YES UNION!!!