UAW Gambles on Casino Workers
The Hartford Courant reports that the United Auto Workers (UAW) has filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to hold a union vote at Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut. The petition is part of a plan to organize the casino’s 3000 dealers– a goal that has eluded the UAW for the last 15 years. "We have waited for this day for a long time," says pro-union poker dealer Steve Peloso. According to the Courant, a starting dealer pulls down about $4.50 per hour, plus mucho tips. (Last year Foxwoods banked an estimated $400m in profits.) The Casino drive is part of the UAW’s ongoing and far-reaching effort (freelance writers need apply) to broaden their base in the face of declining membership in the automotive industry.
Glenn is a baby-boomer, born in 1954. Along with his wife, he makes his home in Connecticut. Employed in the public sector as an Information Tedchnology Specialist, Glenn has long been a car fan. Past rides have included heavy iron such as a 1967 GTO, to a V8 T-Bird. In between those high-horsepower cars, he's owned a pair of BMW 320i's. Now, with a daily commute of 40 miles, his concession to MPG dictates the ownership of a 2006 Honda Civic coupe which, while fun to drive, is a modest car for a pistonhead. As an avid reader, Glenn enjoys TTAC, along with many other auto-realated sites, and the occasional good book. As an avid electronic junkie, Glenn holds an Advanced Class amateur ("ham") radio license, and is into many things electronic. From a satellite radio and portable GPS unit in the cars, to a modest home theater system and radio-intercom in his home, if it's run by the movement of electrons, he's interested. :-)
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lprocter1982, I would think you would not want to be represented by the UAW. Being top-heavy with older, higher-income workers and retirees, their focus is going to be completely different from yours and I don't think they would do a good job of representing your needs.
I'll be the first to agree that 4.50/hour as a starting wage sucks. but casino dealers get tons of tips, don't they? true, it's based on personal interaction with the customer. perhaps a class on interpersonal communication would be a better use of money... than union dues to the UAW. and seriously... the UAW? what lines of service cross between autoworkers and casino dealers? and if the UAW calls another strike @ Ford and Chevy, does that mean that the Casino will now have to hire temporary dealers to replace those on strike? conversely, what happens when the casino employees want a raise/contract renegotiation? does that mean the 2.8 will also shut down in sympathy? great! come on guys. you want a union... fine. but at least choose one that's related to your line of service
@lprocter1982 the Food and Commercial Workers union(I'm guessing that is your current one) never impressed me much when I worked in stores 25 years ago so perhaps you should look for a new union. SEIU seems a lot more progressive and proactive than some of the older unions.
They are complaining that they don't get paid enough hourly? Go get a better job then. Its what I did.