Union effort discussed at Beau Rivage

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Thursday, Jan. 13, 2000 | 11:42 a.m.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

BILOXI, Miss. -- Union officials say they plan to meet with workers of Mirage Resorts Inc.'s Mississippi casino today to discuss forming a union.

Peter Fosco, an organizer with the Laborers International Union of North America, said the meeting was called at the request of Beau Rivage workers upset over pay and working conditions. Mirage opened the $670 million Beau Rivage in Biloxi last March. It currently employs 4,300 people.

Unlike Las Vegas and Atlantic City, unions have yet to gain a foothold in Biloxi's gaming industry.

"Why should housekeepers in Biloxi only make a certain amount and people are making significantly more in Las Vegas doing the same job?" Fosco said.

Beau Rivage Chief Executive Barry Shier called the move unnecessary.

"One of the most important things we do is listen to our workers," Shier said. "There is absolutely no benefit having a third party as part of the process. It doesn't enhance communication and clearly it's not necessary based on the manner in which we treat our workers."