Aiden Raccoon wrote on July 27, 2008 03:56 AM: The only benefit that I see to being in a Union is protecting your job from being fired for no reason. Most casinos offer decent health benefits, and pay. Now, you do have a situation where, like the Wynn, you can have your tips mishandled and the Union can step in and put a stop to that. I am rather against unionized labor, but that said, I would sign up in the casino that I work. We have so many double standards in place that it makes it impossible to even know what the rules are. We have no PTO and our vacation rules are very arbitrary and against what the handbook rules say. Human Resources won't come to bat for us either. They have their heads far up the management's ass. Most people though don't need unions for the sole reason that you have to pay dues. You could save those dues every month and easily pay yourself a healthy raise.

Sharon wrote on July 18, 2008 07:33 PM: As a Rio dealer who voted NO to the union, I would like to let people know why at least 1 of the 247 voted NO to the union. I understand Wynn dealers reason, but we do not have the same issues. What we do have is: #1. Great low cost health & dental Insurance. #2. Great working conditions. Tell me where else you can work 1 hour and get a 20 minute break. #3. Free food, get paid while you have lunch, snacks or whatever. #4. Open door policy with a wonderful management team that have always taken an interest in the dealers feedback. If I or any of my co-workers ever have an issue, we just walk into their office, and the response was always a polite- "hey, have a seat, what can we do for you?" Why in the world would I want a stranger (union steward) going to my boss for issues I want to discuss, especially if it is a personal issue. #5. Unions only have true power of negations with the threat to and/or go on strike. This is a great job with great benefits. The strikers would be trampled on by thousands of dealers that would love to work at the Rio. The union drive we had was extremely negative, If you did not agree with the in house union organizers, you were harassed and intimidated (with the exception of a few) We saw friends turn on each other. It was very disheartening. We were tired of being bombarded with doomsday rhetoric of what might happen without a union. I am glad the union drive is over, and I hope we can become one team again. However, some people showed thier true colors and it will be hard to forget.

Jen wrote on July 15, 2008 06:13 PM: I'd have to say Unions had their time and place in history, and yes, they did amazing things for the labor market. but they are simply outdated. With Federal FEMA laws, overtime pay, decent benefits, PTO, 401k's etc... what more can they provide. Their days are over, but they served a wonderful service to labor in their day and without them all the standard benefits listed above wouldn't be applicable today.

ron wrote on July 14, 2008 08:12 PM: I'm glad the workers rejected the labor union (and I do not work for Rio or any other casino). Why pay union dues to middle men if you don't need to... so they can give it to their leaders and the democrap party? If you don't like the management, find another job, start your own company, or become a manager if your ideas are really so great. If you say you can't find another job that pays as well, that means the owners (shareholders) are overpaying you and you should give some of the money back. Labor unions have chased too many of our jobs overseas, they slow the growth of our economy and they contribute to inflation. Unrealistic demands by unions will only quicken the implementation of automated games and therefore, the loss of dealer jobs. This is a victory for everyone (except the union leaders). How unusual... couldn't this reporter find and interview a single worker who voted against the union??

homeless in Las Vegas wrote on July 14, 2008 07:24 PM: A union seems built on a concept of mistrust of employer. A good employee has little to fear.

You apparently have never worked for a casino. A Business that screams total incompetance from those in charge. Hence, a good employee has much to fear. Fear about being eliminated by a boss concerned about employees who knows more than the bosses.

Sad Summerlin wrote on July 14, 2008 04:41 PM: There is no place for Unions in the Service industry in Las Vegas... get them out from behind the front desks, out of the rooms and definitely out of the casinos...

Unions work well for skilled technical positions like construction, maintenance, trucking, etc...

Good move Rio.

TOMMY PERKINS wrote on July 14, 2008 03:48 PM: After working with union employees in the trade show industry. I have a saying would work union but never invite union into a company I own. I beleive union workers tend to take strong advantage on policies. Rules state I cannot do that or this or I understand things realy need to get done but rules state break is at ten. It helps the employee but I don't beleive for the employer.

Sense Good wrote on July 14, 2008 02:50 PM: A union seems built on a concept of mistrust of employer. A good employee has little to fear. I sense the Rio dealers did the right thing by voting against Union. Why add other party (middleman) to the relationship?

Michael wrote on July 14, 2008 02:01 PM: America will grow when you say UNION NO!

LJ Steep wrote on July 14, 2008 12:24 PM: What good is a Union if Management stalls you to death before they decide to sit down and talk to reach an agreement

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