Berkley boosting union effort

Friday, Aug. 29, 2003 | 10:55 a.m.

Rep. Shelley Berkley showed her support for a union organizing effort today when she addressed workers at a Las Vegas laundry plant.

Berkley, D-Nev., rallied workers at the central plant for Al Phillips the Cleaner Inc. near Tropicana Avenue and Industrial Road.

The Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees (UNITE) has tried to organize about 120 workers at Al Phillips, which is part of a national laundry chain that has more than 15 retail stores in Las Vegas and also cleans uniforms for several Strip resorts.

UNITE workers have had picket lines in recent weeks at the company's central Las Vegas plant as well as its retail stores over claims that Al Phillips violated a pledge that the company would recognize the union if a majority of workers indicated their support.

A spokeswoman for Al Phillips the Cleaner said today that the company had no comment on the matter and was unaware of Berkley's actions.