Appeal to block protest at Venetian denied

Friday, April 30, 1999 | 10:33 a.m.

The Venetian hotel-casino's attempt to block union demonstrators from picketing on its sidewalks was shot down again Thursday.

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, based in San Francisco, denied a Venetian request for an emergency appeal of a lower court's denial of a Venetian request for an order banning the demonstrations.

The appeal will still be allowed to go forward, but not on an "emergency" basis. According to the court's order, that means a decision is not likely until at least July.

The Venetian sought the order after a March 1 incident in which 1,300 union members picketed on the resorts' sidewalks. The Venetian claims it should be able to ban protests, because it owns its sidewalks. A federal judge disagreed, ruling that the sidewalks performed an essential public function that can not be taken away by a private property owner.

The Venetian and Culinary Union are at odds over Venetian owner Sheldon Adelson's refusal to open the resort as a union shop.

Thursday's ruling clears the way for union protests Monday, when the Venetian is scheduled to open. Culinary Union officials have vowed to picket the resort until Adelson accedes to their demands.