Frontier meeting fruitful

Lynn Waddell

Thursday, Jan. 29, 1998 | 11:31 a.m.

First published on June 5, 1992

Unions and Frontier Hotel management are a long way from signing a contract, but both sides remain optimistic.

"I think we are in a pretty good position," said General Manager Tom Elardi. "We have finally got something on the table."

Union officials refused a contract proposal from the Frontier Thursday. In turn, they submitted a 57-page contract with about 30 changes from their original one. Frontier management has postponed further meetings until it reviews the unions' proposal.

"We don't know how long it will take us, but it won't be two years," Elardi said, referring to how long it's been since the hotel negotiated with the union.

Discussions between management and unions began Wednesday for the first time in two years. About 550 workers began picketing the Strip resort in September after working without a contract since 1989.

Many of the union workers told Elardi of their concerns at Thursday's meeting at the El Rancho Hotel.

"You told us when you took over the hotel you would always be fair," said one striker. "Look what you are trying to sell us now. All we are asking is to go back to work with a fair contract."

Union officials said management's proposed contract offers drastically less than other Strip properties. A major contention has been the halt in contributions to the unions' pension and health plans. The hotel advocates its own health plan.

Union negotiator John Wilhelm repeatedly asked Wednesday and Thursday for an explanation for the cuts.

"If you want to negotiate a contract at some point there has to be an actual discussion," Wilhelm said. "To move negotiations forward, you should be able to explain your logic or justify your proposal."

Joel Keiler, Frontier negotiator, said the union didn't deserve an explanation because it had waited so long to ask for one.

Elardi said management has economic reasons for the cuts in benefits.

Wilhelm, however, said many of management's recent proposals had nothing to do with money, but control over employees.

"Why did you make proposals on the issue of disciplinary moves? They are radically backwards from your first proposal," Wilhelm said. "You are telling workers that warnings and suspensions can't be grieved."

Wilhelm said the most recent management proposal eliminates all employee seniority and allows management to fire workers without cause.

The union negotiator also criticized Elardi for choosing Keiler as a negotiator, calling him "unprofessional" and "sleazy."

"As long as you are represented by that kind of behavior ... then the Frontier will fail," Wilhelm said. "No rational person can teal with him. Just don't mistake the determination of these people, they will outlast whatever you determine to do with the Frontier."

Elardi said the union has criticized every lawyer the Frontier has hired during the negotiations.

"You made that same speech about the last attorney we had," Elardi told Wilhelm. "But I do appreciate you finally giving us something to review."