Frontier talks suspended

Thursday, July 25, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

Talks aimed at settling the Frontier hotel-casino strike were suspended today to gather data needed to move the collective bargaining process into a more serious phase.

International Culinary Union President Ed Hanley, who's been in Las Vegas all week, and Frontier General Manager Tom Elardi plan to resume face-to-face discussions at 10 a.m. Friday.

In the meantime, representatives from both sides were expected today to exchange labor-related information to help the two men set up the framework for a possible agreement.

One union source said this step should have been done nearly five years ago before about 500 Frontier employees walked off their jobs.

Hanley said Wednesday he was prepared to stay through the weekend if necessary to end the nation's longest running strike, which began Sept. 21, 1991.

But there were signs within union ranks today that the road to an agreement may be more difficult than anticipated.

"(Hanley's) trying to pursue every opportunity to resolve this, but whether it will get resolved, I have no way of knowing," said John Wilhelm, the international's secretary-treasurer. "I think it makes sense to break for this effort to reconcile everybody's cost estimates."

But Elardi today insisted: "We're moving forward."

Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for Atlantic City gaming mogul Donald Trump denied reports that Trump is interested in buying the Frontier.

"There's absolutely no truth to it," the spokeswoman said. "His plate is full right now."

Hanley told the SUN Wednesday he had heard a rumor a couple of weeks ago that Trump wanted to buy the embattled Strip resort. But Elardi said he was not aware of that interest.

Hanley has informed Elardi that he believes the Frontier won't be "saleable" until Elardi strikes a deal with the union.

A federal appeals court has ruled the Frontier owes striking workers millions of dollars in back pension and other work-related benefits cut off during the walkout.

Some estimates put the amount owed at more than $60 million and growing each day the strike continues. Elardi has disputed that figure.

Union leaders, meanwhile, are concerned that Elardi still may not understand the magnitude of his monetary liabilities and how big a role the union could play in helping him escape the brunt of them.

There's a feeling within the union that one of the best ways out of the deadlock may be a sale of the Frontier.

Elardi said he believes the union is making a bigger issue out of his liabilities than it really is.

"There are two differences of opinion here," he said. "We know there's litigation out there. We know there's expenses out there, but not nearly to the extent the union's preaching."

Publicly, both sides have tried to remain upbeat during the talks, prompted by Hanley, who oversees the 275,000-member international based in Washington, D.C.

Elardi has repeatedly indicated he believes Hanley is the only man with authority to end the protracted strike involving members of Culinary Workers Local 226 in Las Vegas, the international's largest chapter.

The two men met for about two hours Wednesday before deciding to temporarily suspend the talks.