FourDogDad wrote on July 23, 2008 03:23 PM: At the height of the union representation in this country (1935-1955) the unions still only represented 35% of the private sector working force. By 1980, much more than your eight year explanation, it was down to 20%. It is now down to 7.5%. The majority of workers in this country have done just fine without a union. One thing that we do agree on is the fact that manufacturing jobs are leaving the country. We are becoming a hi-tech and entrepreneurial society. Thanks internet. People are thinking for themselves again. Information about anything, including unions, is at your fingertips and information is power. Unions will have a tough time in this environment. They run, for the most part, with an "us against them" mentality. That will not sit well with todays youth (future union members). Todays union membership is getting older and soon will die like the dodo.

As for me wishing for senority, I already have that by the bushel. The difference between me and the "dead wieght" I spoke of is the fact that I come to work because I enjoy it not because I "have to."

The taboo subject that nobody wants to talk about is the fact that there are NO other jobs out there that pay this well, provide good benefits, take twenty minute breaks every hour, and only require a high school education. These "dead weight" dealers are stuck. They have nowhere to go. They are burned out of dealing, but can't just leave and find another 60-70k job waiting for them around the corner (that isn't another dealing job). These are the miserable people that I and every other dealer that enjoys their job carries on a regular basis.

Joe C wrote on July 22, 2008 01:30 PM: FourDogDad,
There was always a certain amount of self-arrogance with dealers.
Crap dealers mostly felt they are better than other dealers.
If I felt you were being facetious I guess I would believe you, I don't.

While unions are certainly responsible for much of their own destruction, the loss of union membership is largely due to 3 million manufacturing jobs outsourced in the eight years.

These high paying jobs added other businesses to feed or purchase goods and gave cities and states more tax money.
In order for other businesses to keep employees they had to stay somewhat competitive.
Since mainly several huge corporations own most of the gambling in Vegas food prices have rising, odds have changed, hotel rooms cost more and a town that was one of the greatest place to live and visit has changed.
I hate to break it to you but it won’t be long before you will be wishing for sonority. Can’t stop age.
Don’t worry when you walk into the break room and look at the dead weight you think you're carrying their brains are thinking the same about you. That’s one thing that hasn’t changed about the business.

FourDogDad wrote on July 21, 2008 11:09 PM: Joe C You obviously need to understand what the word facetious means. The intent with that statement was to emphasize the fact that the hourly wage is trivial to the toke rate. Take a valium occasionally.

I have worked in this business quite a while and know that anybody with a suit on (floor supervisor and up) either burned out of dealing or really wants to move up in the company. At any rate, no "suit" is ever going to worry about a dealer's intelligence. I have a college education and am definitely smarter than some of my superiors. That doesn't make me a threat. I would love to know the whole story behind all the terminations you speak of. I bet there is much more than meets the eye. There always is.

Unions are NOT necessary. The fact that 92.5% of all private sector jobs are not union should prove that. The fact that union membership has been declining at an alarming rate should prove that. The fact that the democrats are trying to throw the unions a lifeline with this ironically named - Employee Free Choice Act - should prove that.

There is a term used by business owners (not CEOs) that best describes the problem......"Senority kills." The oldest employees knowing they don't have to work as hard can coast because they are much harder to fire. I carry dead weight already where I work. I don't need any more people thinking they are entitled to not work as hard just because they have been there for a while. These are people that haven't been there as long as I have. That is why you see business owners run from unions.

Ed wrote on July 21, 2008 09:26 PM: By Joe C's comments, I see he has never missed a union meeting... he's all up on the union propaganda.



By the way, if unions protect jobs, what happened to the unionized employees at Rite Aid?

Ed wrote on July 21, 2008 09:24 PM: By Joe C's comments, I see he has never missed a union meeting.

By the way, if unions protect jobs, what happened to the unionized employees at Rite Aid?

Joe C wrote on July 21, 2008 09:19 PM: douglas,
Jesus Douglas just admit it you’ve never tipped anyone a waitress, dealer, bellman, or given the paperboy a Christmas tip.
Stop making excuses for being such a tight as$ stiff.

You want to help the children you don’t need the dealers to do that.

I doubt you ever helped anyone but yourself since you have no respect for working people possibly less educated than yourself.

Joe C wrote on July 21, 2008 09:16 PM: douglas,
Jesus douglas just admit it you’ve never tipped anyone a waitress, dealer, bellman, or given the paperboy a Christmas tip.
Stop making excuses for being such a tight a$$ stiff.

You want to help the children you don’t need the dealers to do that.

I doubt you ever helped anyone but yourself since you have no respect for working people possibly less educated than yourself.

David wrote on July 21, 2008 09:10 PM: Douglas, your ignorance is as annoying as a loser on the blackjack table. Quit your whining.

douglas wrote on July 21, 2008 08:36 PM: again, since the dealer's union has promised [delivered ?] a "living" wage, why should players add to that ? if anywhere, players might toke those dealers at joints which do not now receive that "living" wage. and then, under the "macao" policy where the house will make up any toke shortfall to be sure that those dealers fully receive that "living wage". "extra" tokes over that "living wage" might then be distributed to the dozens of other hotel/casino staff in contact with patrons.

the issue has nothing to do with how "hard" it is to pitch cards. with that "living wage", mebbe including edr meals and some health care, how long would be the line for applicants ? to pahrump ?

if toke boxes are kept on table games at dealer unionized joints, perhaps they could be designated for various, needy charities. since the unionized/"protected" dealers no longer need tokes to make up the difference between "minimum" wage and the "livable" wage, there lots of less fortunate, under-funded charities. for starters, how about "for the kids"... like the publicized "school book shortage". or a little raise for teachers ? or an extra paramedic vehicle ? or for some homeless program ?

those boxes could have small signs announcing that month's toke beneficiary. these could change. who wouldn't toss a dollar or two, "for the kids", now that the dealers already have the "living" wage they petitioned for ?

Joe C wrote on July 21, 2008 06:55 PM: FourDogDad,
Saying most dealers don’t even know what they make an hour is completely arrogant nonsense.
Working in gamming since 77, I’ve known dealers with college educations, involved in community, politic and have investments in stocks etc., even continuing their education. Gee just like real people.

Of course the biggest question is what are the tokes, what should the question be, when we all know that’s where the money comes from?

Many CEO’s are not concerned with pay but stock options, thus the manipulation of some stocks.

Favoritism has gotten worse thru the years and no it’s not just human nature, it’s selfish nature.

You couldn’t of worked too long in the business because when you have incompetent bosses above you and think their college education makes them smarter.
The last thing they want is someone who is smarter with experience under them. I’ve seen time and time again people that know what they are doing terminated by pinheads that don’t know a thing.
It is a good job and stressful job but unions are necessary that doesn’t mean pro-union for dealers. Unions increase everyone’s wages, but you don’t understand how. Figure that out and get back to me.

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