by James Parks
As the celebrities and invitation-only guests poured into the new MGM Grand at Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Ledyard, Conn., over the weekend, they met some unexpected greeters—casino employees and their supporters who were protesting the owner’s unfair treatment of workers.
For two days, May 17–18, members of the UAW, along with state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, state legislators, union leaders and their supporters, protested at the front entrances to the casino against a new tipping policy and the owner’s unfair labor practices, including refusing to bargain a contract.
Many of the casino workers joined the protest after their shifts ended. They are especially concerned about a new policy that went into effect Saturday that changes how tips are distributed. They say the change could reduce their wages by $2 to $3 an hour.
Six months ago, the 2,600 workers at the casino overwhelmingly voted for the union.The Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, which owns the casino, has challenged the union election several times, saying federal labor law doesn’t apply to a casino on tribal land. Dealer Bob Fandetti says:
Under tribal law we wouldn’t have no say-so whatsoever. We voted for the union and we’re not going away.
In March, the Foxwoods workers won an important victory when a judge upheld their voteto form a union at the casino, which is the largest private employer in the state. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Administrative Law Judge Raymond Green dismissed all of the objections to the November 2007 election.
Meanwhile, the workers have filed 35 unfair labor practice charges with the NLRB against the casino.
The workers voted for the union, says dealer Sherry Lee, because
we deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Our success is an example of what can be accomplished when people work together. Casino dealers sent a clear message: We are united, regardless of race, ethnicity or language. We stayed strong and voted “Yes” for a say in our working conditions.
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