Second union to organize Las Vegas casino dealers

David Strow

Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2001 | 10:55 a.m.

A year ago no one was willing to take on the Herculean task of organizing Las Vegas' casino dealers.

Now dealers find themselves with competing groups vying for their attention.

The National Federation of Gaming Employees, a 12-year-old advocacy group for the state's dealers, is attempting to convert itself into an international union. The International Union of Gaming Employees, as it's now called, will primarily target casino dealers -- not only in Nevada, but across the country when there's interest.

The NFGE worked off-and-on with the Transport Workers Union during its own organizing campaign several months ago. The TWU prevailed in just three of 11 elections on the Strip, and is now trying to negotiate contracts at the Tropicana, the Stratosphere and the New Frontier.

"We still want them to succeed," said Jack Lipsman, vice president of the IUGE. "But we have a little different attitude. They were focusing only on the large places. We're going to focus on all places ... whether it's Arizona Charlie's, Sam's Town or Caesars Palace."

Lipsman argued that the leadership of his organization had something the TWU didn't have -- the experience of being a Nevada casino dealer.

"I think we have a very good handle on what the dealers need, which is not to criticize the TWU," Lipsman said. "We had to stand behind the tables, breathe the (secondhand) smoke, take the abuse. No one in the TWU had to do that. We can speak to the dealers in their own language."

This was precisely the same line many "union-busters" used during the TWU campaign -- that the TWU didn't truly understand dealer concerns. It's a claim the TWU says isn't a valid one.

"The dealers are the union ... it's not about the TWU," said Frank Trotti, a TWU organizer. "That's not a fair shot."

Trotti said the IUGE lacks two things his union does have -- money and a track record.

"We're an AFL-CIO union, over 70 years old, we're financially strong, and we had a tough time (organizing dealers)," Trotti said. "I don't know if these organizations (the casinos) take this group seriously. They go after people with a vengeance. You've got to have some background, that you know how to get a contract. If you don't know this game, you're going to get eaten alive."

Talks at the three casinos where the TWU prevailed, Trotti said, have been "very constructive," and the union is building organizing committees at other properties in town.

"We'd like to see something before the year ... at least know where we're at," Trotti said. "We're moving as quickly as we can."

Though it's not affiliated with the AFL-CIO, the IUGE has affiliated itself with the International Federation of Employees and Professionals of Gaming, Entertainment, Recreation, Leisure and Allied Activities, an international labor organization formed in May out of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

"The organization in Argentina will support us (financially)," Lipsman said. "When we get our goals in order, and we get a plan of action, we can talk about money."

Besides, with its existing network of 4,000 dealers, the IUGE can launch campaigns "on the cheap," Lipsman said.

"The TWU had a problem of presence. We don't have that problem," Lipsman said. "In that sense, I think we can establish credibility (with dealers)."

Dealers remain interested in organizing in Las Vegas, said Marty Levitt, a Las Vegas union consultant. But he doesn't think either the TWU or the IUGE is the group to do it.

"Dealers are skeptical now, because they saw what happened (during the TWU campaign)," Levitt said. "I just don't think, without serious dollars and organizers, that this international union would be the likely one (to organize dealers). I don't see it with the TWU, unless they get a miraculous contract."

Instead, Levitt believes either the Teamsters or the Steelworkers union will eventually pick up the flag of organizing dealers in Las Vegas. But it will have to be a committed effort, he said.

"A union that is effective at organizing doesn't (rely) solely on the individual organizers. They succeed by building committees within the properties, and these committees consist of dealers who are just as seasoned and savvy as Jack and Tony (Badillo, president of the IUGE).

"(A successful campaign) will take millions of dollars. I'm not talking about pocket change."