Culinary leader hopeful of agreement in Detroit

The man credited with boosting membership in the Culinary Union is interested in organizing workers in yet-to-be-built Detroit casinos, but downplays talk of a turf battle between his group and the mammoth United Auto Workers union.

Culinary President-Elect John Wilhelm noted that Detroit is the UAW's hometown, and the Culinary Union is respectful of that.

"They are a good trade union, I think we're a good trade union," Wilhelm said Tuesday. "I'm confident we'll work out all the issues in Detroit."

UAW officials, in Las Vegas this week for their constitutional convention, had no comment Tuesday, citing pending elections today for key officers.

Both groups have an interest in representing Detroit casino workers. The Canadian Auto Workers, a sister group to its American counterpart, represents workers in casinos in Windsor, Ontario. But the Culinary Union represents gaming-related workers workers in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and on riverboats that dot the Midwest.

While Wilhelm said he believed the two unions could come to agreement, he didn't speculate on what such an agreement might be.

The Culinary Union has 40,000 members in Las Vegas and about 250,000 members nationwide. The UAW boasts approximately 775,000 active members.

AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Linda Chavez-Thompson said Tuesday turf wars occasionally arise between various unions, but she wasn't aware of any impending fight between the Culinary Union and the UAW.

"We have jurisdictional disputes between unions," Chavez-Thompson said. "We work very hard in trying to bring a solution when we're asked to assist. I'm sure if there are some concerns about it and we're asked to help we will certainly make ourselves available to resolve any issues that come up."

Three casino projects have received Detroit City Council approval and are undergoing state licensing investigations. MGM Grand Detroit, an Atwater/Circus Circus Enterprises joint venture and the Greektown/Chippewa Indians all plan casinos in the Motor City.

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