Strikers vow to hold out

Bob Shemeligian

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

First published on Sept. 22, 1993

When the record of the Frontier Hotel strike is published, it will be noted that the demonstration entered its third year with a bang, rather than a whimper.

During a Tuesday evening rally, nearly 2,000 protesters walked up and down the sidewalk outside the Strip hotel, chanting in unison, "We will never go away."

Several representatives of national unions were on hand to support members of Culinary Union Local 226 and other local unions representing striking Frontier workers.

"You have the resolve to stay on one day longer than the boss," said Bob Wages, president of the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers Union. "Greed ultimately dies."

Kenneth L. Coss, president of .United Rubber Workers Union, presented the Culinary local a $4,000 check and pledged his union's continuing support.

"I thought this type of behavior (by management) went out in the 1940s and 1950s," Coss told the demonstrators. "I can't believe it's happening in the '90s."

Jim Arnold, Culinary secretary-treasurer, noted that the Frontier action "is the longest strike in the country" and the eyes of union leaders and workers across the nation are fixed on Las Vegas.

"We've had other strikes in the past, and they were settld on business decisions, but this is not a business decision. This is a matter of egos on behalf of the Elardis," said Arnold, referring to Frontier President Margaret Elardi and partner Tom Elardi.

Arnold noted that the Frontier strike affects every worker in Las Vegas.

"All employers want to play on a level field," Arnold said. "They're watching what's going on here."

After the rally, the protesters continued to walk the picket line in front of the hotel. At times, Metro Police officers cautioned protesters not to threaten hotel patrons.

Several protesters shouted, "Scabs," and made other comments about the physical appearances of some of the hotel patrons.

"Tell Mrs. Elardi that Barry Siegel still loves her and wants to ask her out on a date," the hotel bartender said with a sarcastic smile.

As union organizer Donell Henderson unloaded large amplifiers and speakers from a truck, he was asked how long he planned to continue the action.

"One day longer than them," Henderson replied.