Visiting union shows support for strikers

Lynn Waddell

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

In a display of labor solidarity several thousand visiting union members marched down the Strip in support of striking workers at the Frontier Hotel.

"It's time for Las Vegas to recognize that if the unions had asked us, we would have taken about 6,000 members and millions of dollars some other place," said Gerald McEntes, international president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

AFSCME members, attending a convention this week, marched to the Frontier Thursday for a rally to support the five unions striking the hotel-casino. Frontier union workers walked off their jobs in September after efforts to renew their contracts failed.

Recent negotiation attempts stalled after the union submitted another proposed contract. General Manager Tom Elardi said he must have time to review it before continuing talks.

Striking Frontier workers and AFSCME members marched from the Las Vegas Convention Center to a stage set up beside the Frontier. After dancing to inspirational soul music, union leaders made their plea to keep fighting.

"It's like South Africa here at the Frontier," McEntes told marchers. "Our message is keep up the fight and we're going to help you.

McEntes gave the striking workers a $25,000 check.