Frontier pulls its strike ads

Lynn Waddell

Thursday, Jan. 29, 1998 | 12:06 p.m.

First published on Jan. 31, 1992.

The Frontier Hotel & Gambling Hall agreed today to stop running ads that imply the Las Vegas Strip is in the midst of a union strike.

The property, which has been picketed by the Culinary Union since September, has been advertising in the Los Angeles Times, implying that the entire Strip was in the throes of a labor dispute.

The Clark County Commission also said it is awaiting state action on the 64 health and safety complaints issued at the Frontier Wednesday before taking action.

Amid a room filled with union workers, Frontier manager Tom Elardi told the commission he will cease running the controversial ads.

Nevertheless, the commission asked its legal counsel to determine whether it can : take action against the resort's license.

"Obviously we are in an economic war with the Culinary Union," Elardi said. "But we will do whatever you in want, even bring our ads to you for prior approval."

Commissioner Bruce Woodbury criticized Elardi for not pulling the ads after the commission, acting as the Clark County Gaming and Liquor Licensing Board, received complaints in December.

"If you think you are in a difficult situation now, you only have yourself to blame," Woodbury said. "Since we talked to you in December, you have repeated those ads several times, which I don't understand."

Frontier attorney Steve Cohen warned the commission it is prohibited from getting involved in a labor dispute.

"I think you are entering uncharted boundaries which may result in civil rights action taken against the commission and the commissioners individually," he said.

Commissioner Karen Hayes said it wasn't the intent of the commission to become involved in a labor dispute but to protect the industry.

"In a recession like we are in right now, it is the prerogative of the board to look at something that can negatively affect the livelihood of the Strip," she said.

Elardi said he mentioned the strike in the ads to warn potential customers about the labor dispute.

"We need something written in the ad that warns people a strike is going on and that they can be subject to verbal abuse," Elardi said.