Dealers at Bally’s, Riviera vote against organization

Monday, Feb. 12, 2001 | 11:01 a.m.

Dealers at two Strip properties voted against organization by the Transport Workers Union.

Dealers at the Riviera voted 107-61 against the union in a two-day vote Thursday and Friday, while dealers at Bally's Las Vegas voted 212-62 against the union. One hundred and ninety dealers were eligible to vote at the Riviera, and 295 were eligible to vote at Bally's.

"We believe that what we have is a partnership between the Riviera and its dealers, and it would have been counterproductive to involve a third party in this partnership," said Riviera President Bob Vannucci.

No immediate comment was available from Bally's or parent company Park Place Entertainment Corp.

So far in the Transport Workers Union's organizing campaign, dealers at only two of seven properties have voted to make the TWU their collective bargaining representative. Dealers at the Stratosphere and Tropicana have voted in favor, while dealers at the Monte Carlo, Las Vegas Hilton and MGM Grand have voted against.

"I think they're confused, voting against the TWU, voting for management, not for themselves," said Frank Trotti, organizer with the TWU. "They have to listen to their heart, not to the union busters."

Trotti said the union plans to continue with its organizing campaign and will proceed with attempts to negotiate contracts at the Tropicana and Stratosphere.

Four elections remain: the New York-New York on Saturday, the New Frontier on Feb. 23, the Excalibur on March 3 and Treasure Island on March 10.