No end in sight to unions’ war

Bob Shemeligian

Friday, Jan. 30, 1998 | 10:36 a.m.

First published on Sept. 21, 1993

The Frontier Hotel strike enters its third year today, and an outdoor rally is planned at 5 p.m. to mark the occasion.

Two years ago, the strike was perceived as a labor action by members of Culinary Union Local 226 and four other unions over conditions at the Strip hotel.

But today, the strike has escalated into a war between the Culinary and the Frontier. It has lasted nearly half as long as the American Civil War, and despite the recent appointment of a fact-finder to help resolve the dispute, both sides are nearly as far apart as they were two years ago.

"There are still major differences," said Joel Keiler, a Washington, D.C., labor attorney who represents the hotel.

Those who think that either the Culinary or the hotel will cave in because of the mounting financial costs should think again.

Industry experts estimate the strike has cost hotel president Margaret Elardi and her son Tom Elardi, a hotel partner as much as $50 million in lost business over two years. But they also estimate the Elardis could weather these types of losses for several more years.

Still, Culinary officials boast the strike has taken its toll.

"That company has been destroyed. Everyone on the Strip knows that," said D. Taylor, staff director of the Culinary Union, the largest labor organization in Nevada. "This (strike) has cost them 100 times what a contract would cost them."

Are Frontier officials worried?

"They're doing fine," said Keiler, who added he does not see an end to the strike in the near future.

Jim Arnold, secretary-treasurer of the Culinary Union, agrees with Keiler on that point. And only on that point.

"We will never go away, " Arnold said. "The battle isn't just about the Frontier. It's about the rights of working men and women at every casino and hotel in Las Vegas to belong to a union, collect fair wages and benefits and have job security."

The Frontier isn't the only side that has suffered losses during the strike.

On April 26, California tourists Sean and Gail White, both Frontier guests, suffered injuries during a scuffle in front of the hotel. A month later, a grand jury indicted five men and two women, all Culinary members, on more than 20 charges in the beating of the Whites. Later, six Culinary members pleaded guilty to reduced charges, and received fines and probation.

Keiler said the incident and others like it have convinced the Elardis they don't want to rehire many of the strikers.

"Many of the strikers have been engaged in violence," Keiler said.

Several pickets on Monday said the feeling is mutual.

"We'd rather see the hotel sold or shut down," bartender Dave Burns said.

Picketing has slowed in front of the hotel in recent months.

Union officials say they've intentionally slowed the pace to give labor negotiator Sam Kagel, an appointee of Gov. Bob Miller, time to try to get both sides talking.

Kagel, a San Francisco attorney, has met with the two several times in recent weeks, but Keiler noted that both are still very far apart, and there have been no compromises on the major issues over wages and benefits.

But at least both sides are talking.

They're also talking on the picket line - but not about compromise.

"Things have been difficult, but we're very strong We're not going to give up," said picket captain Mirna Precido, a single mother of two children.

Precido's oldest daughter, 19-yearold Iris Salanas, recently received a degree in graphic design. Precido said she feels it's important she sets an example for her children that a person should fight for what's right.

Eddie Triana, a 24-year Frontier employee, said, "I've been here five days a week for two years, and I'm going to keep on going I'm very strong."

Triana, former gourmet room captain, was asked if he believes business is hurting at the Frontier.

"You better believe it," he replied.

It's this type of loyalty that sets the Frontier strike apart from others, according to union officials.

"Not one single person has gone back to work (at the Frontier)," said Taylor, adding that that is unprecedented.

"We're hanging in there. It's a tremendous strain, but it's nothing compared to the strain felt by those strikers," he said. "They're making enormous sacrifices, and we all consider them heroes."

Over the past two years, members of many national unions that convene in Las Vegas have joined the Frontier workers on the picket lines.

"This is the best publicized strike in the country," Taylor said.

The strike is being monitored by other union members from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., he added.

Furthermore, on Oct. 1, the U.S. House of Representatives' Labor-Management Relations Subcommittee plans to conduct a hearing in Las Vegas on federal labor-management policy, with attention to the Frontier dispute.