FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
Media Contact:
Bethany Khan ▪ BKhan@culinaryunion226.org ▪ (702) 387-7088
Amidst Labor Dispute, Teamsters Call for Worker Retention at Hard Rock Hotel Las Vegas
PHOTOS FROM PICKET LINE HERE: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1556722534384088.1073741973.322942117762142&type=1&l=c10517b537
Las Vegas, NV – The Teamsters Union Local 986 are calling on Hard Rock Hotel Las Vegas to retain its workforce if the hotel is sold. The Teamsters Local 986 are planning an informational picket on Thursday, August 17, 2017 at 5pm at the Hard Rock Hotel Las Vegas (4455 Paradise Road Las Vegas, NV 89169).
“We are worried about what might happen to us if our hotel is sold,” said Kevin Murray, a valet attendant at the Hard Rock Hotel Las Vegas. “I have a large family that I provide for and I want to make sure that my job is safe. The owner, Brookfield, should make sure that whoever buys the Hard Rock Hotel Las Vegas is committed to retaining the current workforce.”
Valet attendants at the Hard Rock Hotel Las Vegas voted in a National Labor Board Relations (NLRB) election in 2009 to join the Teamsters Local 986, who are currently in negotiations with the hotel for a first contract, valet workers are fighting for job security, fair wages, and good health benefits.
“It is standard practice in the Las Vegas gaming industry for workers to keep their jobs without loss of seniority or benefits when their casino is sold,” said Chris Griswald, Secretary-Treasurer for the Teamsters Local 986. “Worker retention should be part of the condition of sale of the Hard Rock Hotel Las Vegas. The Teamsters Local 986 will do everything we can to support these workers in their fight for job security and respect and dignity on the job.”
Las Vegas casinos typically retain the bulk of hourly workers in the event of a change in ownership. This best practice has prevailed even when there is not a union agreement. After the following transactions, workers were retained without being required to reapply:
- Harrah’s purchased The Rio in 1998
- Station Casinos purchased The Reserve (renamed Fiesta Henderson) in 2010
- Boyd purchased the Coast properties in 2004
- Harrah’s purchased Imperial Palace in 2005
- The Aladdin was sold and became Planet Hollywood in 2007
- Station Casinos LLC acquired the properties of Station Casinos, Inc. in bankruptcy reorganization in 2011
- Blackstone bought the Cosmopolitan in 2014
- Boyd purchase Aliante and the Cannery casinos in 2016
- Station Casinos acquired the Palms in 2016
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