Culinary Union to demonstrate twice at Venetian opening

Monday, April 26, 1999 | 2:58 a.m.

A top Culinary Union leader said Sunday that the union expects to stage two demonstrations at the Venetian on May 3 when the megaresort holds its soft-opening festivities.

Glen Arnodo, the union's political director, told the Sun that sidewalk protests are planned for 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

"We have said from the beginning that we would be there on opening day, and we're going to be there in one form or another," Arnodo said.

The chief reason for the demonstrations, Arnodo said, is to persuade Venetian owner Sheldon Adelson to give Venetian workers the "same free right to organize a union" as other workers in Las Vegas.

Adelson has refused to open as a union hotel, insisting the wage and benefit package he's offering his employees is better than the Culinary's. He has accused the union of trying to bully him.

Arnodo said several thousand union members expect to participate in the May 3 demonstrations.

On Friday, members of the media and local VIPs received invitations in the mail to the soft-opening.

"The celebration commences with a morning ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by a day of media tours, interview opportunities and a media luncheon, featuring a sampling from the Venetian's world-renowned chefs," the invitation said.

Guests also are invited to a black-tie evening benefit at the Venetian. Those attending are asked to donate $250 to Reach Out, a center that helps children with AIDS.

Venetian President Bill Weidner said the union demonstrations won't affect opening-night plans.

"We simply view it as another factor in the management of our business," Weidner said Sunday.

At the same time, Weidner said it's "shame" the union would try to spoil the Venetian's big day.

"This is a multibillion-dollar investment in this community, and we've consistently said that if our employees want representation, they have the right to ask for a secret ballot election," Weidner said.

"For the Culinary Union to think that it owns the sidewalks and streets of Las Vegas in a way to disrupt the tourism base of this city in an attempt to put pressure on us and take a way the rights of our employees is outrageous."

Still to be resolved is whether the union can lawfully wage its protests on the sidewalks.

U.S. District Judge Philip Pro is expected to rule this week on a suit filed by the Venetian that claims it owns the sidewalks and has the right to ban public demonstrations there.

The Venetian filed suit in federal court after Metro Police refused to arrest Culinary Union protesters during a March rally.

Arnodo suggested the union may take to the sidewalks even if Pro sides with Adelson.

"We're hopeful the judge will reaffirm our right to be out there," Arnodo said. "But if he doesn't, obviously we will have to take stock of the situation and probably assert our right to protest no matter what. We can't give up our right to protest."

The demonstrations, meanwhile, will test the loyalty of elected leaders.

Several, such as Las Vegas Mayor Jan Laverty Jones, already have privately indicated they won't cross a union picket line to attend the Venetian festivities.

Weidner said the hotel was conscious of not wanting to embarrass elected officials.

He said invitations have been sent only to those who have expressed an interest in going.

There were indications that Gov. Kenny Guinn, who has established a good relationship with the Culinary Union, won't attend.

"It's become such a politically charged event that it doesn't seem appropriate for the governor to tip the balance of that dispute one way or the the other," Chief of Staff Pete Ernaut said Sunday.

Ernaut said he didn't believe Guinn had received an invitation.