MGM Grand child-care center still in planning stage

Thursday, April 27, 2000 | 10:41 a.m.

While child-care centers are opening in Las Vegas at two casino companies, the first such casino child-care operation to be announced here remains in the planning stage.

In 1997, the MGM Grand hotel-casino became the first gaming property in Las Vegas to announce plans to develop a child-care center aimed specifically at children of its employees. Plans for employee child care were included in a Culinary Union contract with the MGM signed that year.

That center hasn't materialized yet, but the MGM remains "very committed to the concept of assisting our cast members with families," said Michelle Rikard, spokeswoman for the MGM Grand.

"The contract said we would immediately put together a task force to study the feasibility (of a center)," Rikard said. "We've created a task force, done a study to discuss the needs and utilization.

"The center has been designed, and a piece of land has been designated. We've yet to announce anything, but we're looking at all proposals."

Jim Arnold, secretary-treasurer of Culinary Union Local 226, said the apparent delays in developing a child-care center haven't become an issue of contention between the union and the hotel-casino.

But Arnold said child care for Strip employees remains a key concern of the union, particularly for those members who are single mothers.

"That's something the workers we represent need badly," Arnold said. "But the cost of doing something like that is so outrageous, our workers can't take advantage of it. Every time we look at it, the costs are just so out of whack.

"It's long overdue. Both sides are going to have to figure it out if we do it together, as partners."