Vegas Dealer's Union Dealt a Bad Hand

by Bodog Casino | Jan 26 2010

| | |

Unions are a bit of an anomaly in the live Casino realm. Most just don't have them, and most employees just don't think they need a union. Why? Well, the hourly pay isn't great but the tips are insane. Many a dealer makes a great living building and destroying the wallets of customers.

But Caesar's Palace employees felt they needed a union in order to get better benefits and more job security, even though unions in Vegas are as likely as finding natural plant-life in Sin City. The idea backfired, and the mighty hand of Caesar is making them pay for it.

"They never intended to negotiate," Transport Workers Union Gaming Director Joe Carbon says.

"They never considered our very few proposals. They want to shove this down dealers' throats as punishment for joining a union. And they're getting away with it."

Caesars Palace struck back at their employees for proposing a list of new workplace rules and even did the unthinkable, they dipped into their tips.

But Harrah's Entertainment, which owns Caesars, contends that the union is unreasonably blocking its proposals. The company says its proposed changes are fair because they will bring dealers in line with other Harrah's employees, union and nonunion.

Labor experts who aren't involved in the fight say Harrah's may succeed in imposing its will on the dealers. Federal law says that employers aren't required to reach an agreement with a union, they only need to negotiate. And don't think workers in Vegas are going on strike, with such a competitive market because so many people are jobless  those who walk out of the giant casino will probably be replaced instantly.

But don't think Harrah's is the only company with a labor dispute on its hands. Steve Wynn moved to give a fraction of his dealers' tips to their supervisors. When that happened dealers at Wynn, Las Vegas filed a lawsuit and a complaint with the Nevada labor commissioner. The commissioner is expected to rule this year on whether Wynn broke a state law that prevents employers from taking “all or part of any tips" given to employees.

Wynn dealers say the policy reduced their earnings, before the recession, by more than 10 percent. And as we said, dealers count on their tips - as much as 90 percent in fact.

Will this all blow over when the recession is officially over? Vegas workers will have to wait and see. Meanwhile, tip your Vegas dealers whenever possible. Or if you want to save money just try an online casino instead