Teamsters file grievance against Las Vegas Hilton

The Las Vegas Hilton's valet parking attendants say the hotel's new $20 parking fee during conventions is robbing them of their tips.

Teamsters Local 995, which represents the valets, filed a grievance against the hotel, union spokesman Mark Magnani said Thursday.

"At this point, it's a serious problem," Magnani said.

When the valets' contract was negotiated, the union agreed to keep the hourly wages low -- ranging from $8 to about $9.50 -- because the employees collect tips, Magnani said.

"Both sides, in good faith, were relying on those tips. And to change the scheme after we've done that is unfair," the union spokesman said. "And they did it unilaterally. They didn't ask us for help."

Hilton officials started charging anyone without a room key a $20 parking fee during November's Comdex convention. In the past, convention participants parked in the hotel's lot for free, leaving no room for guests, hotel spokesmen have said.

Earlier this week, after complaints from residents, Hilton officials rescinded the fee for anyone with a Nevada driver's license or a Barron's Club player's card.

That still doesn't help the valets, Magnani said. People who pay $20 to park a car aren't likely to tip. And valets pay federal income tax on a set amount of tips each year even if they don't collect that amount.

The hotel managers decided to give $1 of each fee collected to the valets.

But there is no way to make sure the tips are divided evenly or even among the valets on the proper shift.

And patrons frequently tip $2 or $3 or more, the union spokesman said.

Hilton officials have said the fee applies only during the biggest conventions -- about four times a year. Magnani says those are the times when valets expect to make the most in tips.

Hilton officials said they are working on the issue with the Teamsters.

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