Union threatens action against Tropicana

Tuesday, May 20, 2003 | 11:11 a.m.

The Culinary Union today said it may take action against the Tropicana hotel-casino in Las Vegas over stalemated labor negotiations and has introduced a website to publicize the dispute.

Tropicana parent Aztar Corp. has refused to "agree to priority hiring for existing employees" should the company redevelop the property, union representatives said.

In April, negotiations between the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and the Tropicana failed to yield a contract to replace one that expired last year.

The unresolved negotiations allow Tropicana workers to go on strike, picket, leaflet and boycott the property, the union said.

Tropicana representatives could not be reached by press time.

"Priority hiring has been an important issue for Culinary Union members ever since (Venetian hotel-casino owner) Sheldon Adelson imploded the Las Vegas Sands and refused to give the workers first crack at jobs in the new facility. Many of those longtime workers never saw their jobs again," said Genevieve Parente, a Culinary Union spokeswoman.

The union's website, www.LVTropicanaAlert.info, includes updates on the labor dispute and allows visitors to register for email updates and obtain links to alternative hotel accommodations in Las Vegas.

Some observers say Aztar may implode the aging Tropicana and replace it with a megaresort on par with its more luxurious neighbors on the Strip. Company executives have warned off speculation, saying they won't know until at least next year whether to redevelop the property or keep it as is.