Union continues recruiting drive

Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2000 | 11:57 a.m.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

BILOXI, Miss. -- More than 100 people signed cards calling for a union vote at the Beau Rivage hotel-casino last week, and organizers say they plan to continue their efforts.

The Laborers International Union of North America is seeking to represent the more than 4,000 workers at the Mississippi Gulf Coast resort, owned by Las Vegas-based Mirage Resorts Inc. The union must obtain signatures from at least 30 percent of the property's workers before a vote on union representation can be held.

Workers calling for a union say organization is necessary to resolve safety and wage issues.

If successful, the drive would make the Beau Rivage the first union casino on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Beau Rivage spokesman Andy Bourland called the union drive unnecessary.

"We believe all of these issues are internal to the company and prefer to discuss any related concerns through our internal channels of communication," Bourland said.

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