Aladdin protest scheduled during nationally televised event

Monday, Oct. 27, 2003 | 11:11 a.m.

The Culinary Workers Union Local 226 plans a rally tonight to call attention to its dispute with the Aladdin hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

Union officials said as many as 1,000 protesters would attend the rally, which is being staged outside the resort during the nationally televised Radio Music Awards show at the property. Culinary officials said they have attempted to contact presenters, performers and award nominees scheduled to appear at the show.

The union staged similar rallies earlier this year, seeking representation through a card-signing process. Hotel management has responded that it would prefer giving employees the opportunity to choose through a secret-ballot process.

Union activism also spurred National Labor Relations Board complaints against the Aladdin. Complaints allege that casino managers threatened employees with reprisals, spied on workers and interrogated workers about union organizing activities, among other things.

The Aladdin responded that the Culinary Union has a lengthy record of using NLRB complaints to publicly pressure companies into making decisions that don't represent the best interest of employees.