Union splits in dealer elections

Monday, Jan. 29, 2001 | 10:57 a.m.

The Transport Workers Union scored a second victory in its campaign to organize Las Vegas dealers this weekend, when dealers at the Stratosphere hotel-casino voted 116-48 to be represented by the union.

However, the TWU missed out on the biggest prize yet of the campaign, when the 743 dealers of the MGM Grand voted 542-189 against representation in a Saturday election.

"In addition to being a rejection of the union this vote is, more importantly, an affirmation of a fundamental concept that dealers and our management team work on the same side of the table," said MGM Grand President Bill Hornbuckle in a statement. "The TWU has displayed a complete lack of understanding of this simple truth."

Stratosphere officials declined comment.

"We knew this wasn't going to be easy, and we think it was a big win at the Stratosphere," said TWU organizer Jeff Osborne. "We're organizing a whole new profession here, and we think we're making great headway."

So far, dealers at the Tropicana and Stratosphere have voted in favor of organization, while dealers at the Monte Carlo, Las Vegas Hilton and MGM Grand have voted against. Once certified, the union still must negotiate a collective bargaining agreement with each casino it wins.

Four elections are scheduled for February -- the Riviera on Feb. 8 and 9, Bally's Las Vegas on Feb. 10, the New York-New York on Feb. 17 and the New Frontier on Feb. 23. Elections at the Excalibur and Treasure Island are set for early March.