County joins call for hotel strike end

David Clayton

Thursday, Jan. 29, 1998 | 10:45 a.m.

Clout, the final frontier.

That reasoning is behind a stepped-up strategy of Culinary Workers" Union Local 226, whose leaders and members Tuesday approached the County Commission in force and walked away with political clout in hand.

For 18 months, the union has been striking the Frontier Hotel. Now, the union is hoping that government officials will bring General Manager Tom Elardi to the bargaining table.

Backed by about 50 members, the union's leadership asked the commission to add its weight to a Feb. 4 letter signed by all four members of Nevada's congressional delegation.

The letter stated, "It's time for this acrimonious and unnecessary situation to cease." The delegation called for binding arbitration, whereby both parties agree to accept an impartial mediator's decision.

In appealing to the commissioners, the union showed a video featuring several Nevada state senators and other prominent local and national personalities heaping criticism on Frontier management for prolonging the strike by refusing to negotiate.

"It's useful and necessary to have an unbiased mediator," said D. Taylor, the union's staff director. "But I do not believe the Elardis (including Tom Elardi's mother, Margaret) will respond. They never have."

Contacted by the SUN Tuesday, the Frontier declined comment.

Commissioners were full of comments. Yvonne Atkinson Gates said more than the Frontier and its workers are being hurt by the strike. "It's a black eye on the whole community," she said.

Added Commissioner Don Schlesinger: "We do not have the authority to impose binding arbitration, but we do have a moral responsibility (to bring pressure to bear). After 18 months of suffering, the time has come to sit down and resolve this dispute. Enough is enough."

In response to questions from Commissioner Thalia Dondero the district attorney's office said it is exploring the possibility of opening an investigation into some of the allegations contained m the video. The video, titled "Abuse of Privilege," charged that the Frontier has engaged in money laundering.

Several Culinary strikers spoke, including bartender Tom Saunders. "It's time for the commissioners to come in and say (to the Elardis), 'Look, you are not above the law,"' Saunders said. More than 500 workers are on the picket lines, and the several who spoke Tuesday detailed their hardship, as well as their resolve.

"We just want what other Strip workers have, and we'll be there 'til this is settled," Lee Davis said.