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May. 14, 2007
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CASINO INDUSTRY: Dealers at Wynn resort ratify union

Vote for TWU representation approved by almost 3-1 margin

By HOWARD STUTZ
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Casino dealers at Wynn Las Vegas voted by an almost a 3-1 margin in favor of union representation despite an impassioned eleventh hour hour plea by company Chairman Steve Wynn, who told his workers on the eve of the election it had been a mistake to implement a controversial change in the tip pooling program that led to the employee unrest.

Wynn dealers voted in the National Labor Relations Board-sanctioned election Saturday and early Sunday morning.

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    • NLRB representatives were unavailable Sunday and did not release the vote total. But the final tally, 444 for union representation, 149 opposed, was confirmed by both dealers' representatives and Wynn executives.

    Once the labor organization officially certifies the vote, the New York-based Transport Workers Union of America will be allowed to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement for the dealers with hotel executives.

    Wynn Las Vegas employs around 700 full-time and part-time dealers at the lavish Strip casino, which opened in April 2005 at a cost of $2.7 billion. Wynn Resorts is currently building Encore, an accompanying $2.1 billion hotel-casino that is expected to open in 2009.

    Wynn representatives were not available for comment Sunday.

    But Frank McCann Jr., who directed the organizing drive for the Transport Workers, said he believes the union and Wynn executives can come to common ground on a contract.

    "We'll get information from the Wynn people and we have what the dealers would like to see happen, and we believe we can get something done quickly," McCann said.

    The overwhelming majority vote for union representation came despite a personal appeal from Wynn, who asked to the dealers not to bring in an outside organization as their representative.

    Wynn spoke to dealers Thursday in a group setting for about 20 minutes. The speech was recorded by a dealer and posted on the Internet. In the meeting, Wynn said NLRB regulations forbid him from making promises in order to sway votes so he stopped short of telling dealers he would eliminate the tip-pooling program.

    However, Wynn accepted full blame for implementing the tip-pooling program last September.

    "I got it wrong, I hurt you and I apologize," Wynn said. "Sometimes people with good intentions make mistakes."

    On Sept. 1, Wynn executives added certain managers and casino supervisors to the list of those who qualify to share in the casino's often-times lucrative tip pool. Wynn dealers said that before the tip pooling program was started, they could earn $100,000 or more annually.

    Wynn Las Vegas management said it started the policy to correct a pay disparity that had dealers earning more than their supervisors.

    Critics argued Wynn Las Vegas should raise managers' pay, not broaden the tip pool. Dealers say the change is costing them as much as $20,000 per year.

    "This was my mistake and I only have myself to blame," Wynn said. "I have a 40-year history of taking care of the people I work with.

    "What this caused was the loss of the feeling of family warmth and happiness that we had here. I got it wrong. I tried to do right for the bosses but I hurt you. I made a mistake," he also said.

    Wynn didn't take questions, but told dealers he was "preoccupied" in September with the Wynn Resorts opening of the Wynn Macau, the company's $1 billion hotel-casino in Chinese gaming enclave.

    The tip-pooling program spawned nine months of heated debate at the hotel, including complaints by dealers with the state labor commissioner, a lawsuit filed by two dealers in District Court, sidewalk protests by dealers and proposed legislation in Carson City that would ban the tip-sharing agreement.

    Wynn, however, complimented his workers, saying Wynn Las Vegas achieved five-star and five diamond ratings despite the controversy.

    "I understand how steamed and how betrayed you feel, but you are classy because you took care of our customers," Wynn said.

    Wynn Las Vegas has union contracts covering various cross sections of the 9,000-person work force, including a lengthy deal with Culinary Workers Local 226, than expires in 2015.

    However, Wynn told dealers representation by the Transport Worked Union would be a mistake.

    "A union comes between the employer, me, and you," Wynn said. "It complicates our relationship. Our future as a family is based on use being together."

    Employees applauded Wynn at the close of the talk.

    McCann said it seemed logical, based on Wynn's comments, that the first thing he would do is eliminate the tip-pooling program.

    "The organizing committee did a very good job, and now we'll move forward," McCann said.

    The Transport Workers is affiliated with the AFL-CIO and represents 130,000 employees across the country in mass transportation, airlines, railroads, utilities, higher education and municipalities.

    In 2001, the Transport Workers Union moved to organize dealers at 13 casinos, winning elections at the Tropicana, Stratosphere and New Frontier, but was defeated at other properties.

    McCann said Sunday the union represents casino workers at The New Frontier.



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    David Parker wrote on November 23, 2008 01:07 PM: Quote by PRIMADONNA: "NO ONE IN GAMING TREATS OR APPRECIATES HIS EMPLOYEES LIKE STEVE WYNN."

    If Steve is all that then way does he have to take money hard earned from dealer giove to Floors.

    If Steve is all that then way does act two face to his dealers.

    If Steve is all that then way is his dealers unhappy.

    Steve Wynn you are NOT all that. Steve pride comes before a haughty fall. See you at the bottom!



    unionssuck wrote on June 22, 2008 04:03 PM: Unions are not necessary and out of date. Look at the damage they did to the automotive industry. They create a hostile "Them" vs. "US" atmosphere which is never good. In my experience, you never see any union reps unless there's something wrong or it's time for negotiations. They often create these strange rules too, that even union members have a hard time understanding, and make things less flexible. A Housekeeping Manager told me that he once had an employee approach him a week after the fact and told him that a lower seniority employee had been scheduled 5 days and that he had only been scheduled for 4, and was able to get paid for the 5th day eventhough he could have simply pointed it out to the manager before hand and worked that 5th day. That's rediculous! I had be part of a union once, I wasn't given a choice. I hated seeing part of my paycheck forcefully being taken from me for an organization that I didn't really need. I know that if I'm not happy with how things are where I work, I have choices. Either help make them better, or go somewhere else. The dealers at the Wynn should have done something (other than involve a 3rd party) to make things better, or they should have gone elsewhere.


    PRIMADONNA'S wrote on June 11, 2007 10:53 AM: GIVE ME A BREAK. YOU MAKE 90K A YEAR FOR PITCHING CARDS. YOU WORK FOR THE BEST OWNER IN GAMING.I THINK YOU MADE A BIG MISTAKE GETTING INVOLVED WITH A UNION. NO ONE IN GAMING TREATS OR APPRECIATES HIS EMPLOYEES LIKE STEVE WYNN. MAYBE IF YOU WEREN'T SO GREEDY AND COULD APPRECIATE WHAT YOUR FLOOR SUPERVISORS DO FOR YOU NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED.


    unknown wrote on May 27, 2007 02:10 PM: Greedy dealers? I think not!!!! I really don't think anyone realizes just how much a dealer is exposed to in an eight hour shift. (Something for all to think about as they are enjoying a three day holiday.) THERE ARE NO HOLIDAYS FOR CASINO DEALERS AND OTHER CASINO EMPLOYEES!!!!!! Holidays = Overtime! Dealers make thousands of split second decisions (in a shift) regarding MILLIONS of dollars while, being watched by floormen, pitbosses, shiftbosses and the eye in the sky. They are the first person you see when you arrive to the casino and the last when you leave. This is called a frontline employee. Dealers determin wheither your stay was a good or bad experience. Here's something else to think about, the casino pays dealers $6.15 an hour. That is all!!!! Dealers receive tips from the players which is their main souce of income. The casino subsidizes tips for the dealers income. A gift which is still taxed by the US Government. Dealers do not have normal working hours. There is no such thing as 9 to 5. The patients a dealer must have to put up with the drunks insulting them every hand they deal and yes, they have to put up with it. I know how I would feel if someone came along and said "hey, by the way, you have to share everything you sweated and worked hard for with that guy over there who just stands around and watches stuff." Think about that before you call them greedy. They earn every cent!!!! Good Going WYNN Dealers!!!! I am so proud of all of you who voted union!!!!!


    jim hartzell wrote on May 18, 2007 10:53 PM: I think the dealers did the right thing by bringing in a union when your lively hood is threatened this should help and maybe get the other casinos to be careful at what they do... I do hope Mr Wynn who should know better and the union come to a good agreement for both of them...


    Ethan wrote on May 17, 2007 02:55 PM: I feel the dealers have made a BIG mistake by not giving Steve Wynn the opportunity to correct his mistake in judgement, regarding the "tip pool". However, now the dealers have made an even BIGGER mistake by "Partnering with the Devil".


    Tamara P wrote on May 15, 2007 10:10 AM: If Mr. Wynn would of apologized earlier, and brought back the employees that were unfairly terminated, I think the Union would of been voted OUT!! But his apology came way to late.


    unknown wrote on May 15, 2007 10:05 AM: Make no mistake a very large percentage of dealers are well educated.I was a dealer and a nurse for many years left dealing to join the nurses union and gain respect for who I am and what I do no matter what it is.Education is not a marker for worth financially or otherwise.Keep providing entertainment and relaxation to those who desire it dealers RIDE ON


    Ginger Sheahan SEIU wrote on May 15, 2007 09:56 AM: It's about time they woke up.I feel at peace now after living with the nightmares from 1999.Congratulations you won't regret it the TWU is a solid union.


    unknown wrote on May 14, 2007 07:50 PM: I COMMEND the wynn DEALERS. This is not just about money it's about RESPECT as a human being. The fact that your are the BOSS and have MONEY DOES NOT give you the right to treat people like DIRT. THIS IS WHAT AMERICA IS ALL ABOUT. I COMMEND YOU, WYNN DEALER BECAUSE YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES. I AM PROUD OF YOU. GOD BLESS


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