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Hundreds of Las Vegas culinary workers gathered Thursday evening in front of Red Rock Resort & Casino to protest Station Casino’s anti-unioness, Thursday March 22, 2012.
By J. Patrick Coolican (contact) 
Friday, March 23, 2012 | 2 a.m.
Station Casinos faces possible culinary strike
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KSNV coverage of culinary strike against Station Casinos, March 22, 2012.
J. Patrick Coolican
Sun archives
Do not underestimate D. Taylor.
That’s what I came away with after an interview with the secretary-treasurer of the Culinary Union Local 226.
The Culinary is in a tough fight, trying to organize workers at Station Casinos.
The company, newly flushed and emboldened after cutting its debt by $4 billion with the help of a bankruptcy court, is hitting back hard with an expensive and scathing ad campaign aimed at union leadership.
The union scored a victory over the company last year when an administrative law judge forwarded charges — of interrogation, surveillance, and the firing and disciplining of workers involved in the union drive — to a three-member panel of the National Labor Relations Board. The company continues to dispute the charges, which it says are merely technical and part of a campaign of “ongoing harassment” by the union.
Union boss: D. Taylor is the Culinary Union's local leader and chief bargainer.
Since the judge’s ruling, though, the union, which represents more than 50,000 workers on the Strip, has seemed uncharacteristically off its game and off message. Sen. Steven Horsford, presumably a strong Democratic ally, ignored a union admonition that officeholders not take money linked to Station Casinos, as first reported by my colleague Jon Ralston.
Culinary workers at a downtown restaurant reportedly harangued Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh for putting up his business guests at Station-owned Green Valley Ranch, and the incident leaked into the media.
On Thursday, the Culinary again went sideways, scheduling a rally at Red Rock Resort the same night the property was hosting a big fundraiser for Bishop Gorman, the Catholic high school, at which the Engelstad Family Foundation was to be honored.
(Regarding this conflict, I wonder, which better embodies the message of the Gospels: a fundraiser or workers marching outside, demanding their rights?)
To Taylor, however, this is all just noise.
“We have a very different view of time,” said Taylor, the union’s longtime leader.
“If somebody told me we’d have a six-year strike at the Frontier, I would have said, ‘I don’t think so,’” he said, referring to the legendary walkout of the now imploded property.
If the Fertitta brothers, who control Station Casinos, seem dug in, the workers are just as hunkered down, Taylor said.
“Those workers are not going anywhere, and they feel very strong and they’re extremely determined,” he said.
Taylor can seem like a distant, enigmatic public figure. Though savvy in both spheres, he seems outwardly put off by media and politics. Whenever I ask him about some candidate or other, his expression always suggests that politicians always want something but will sell you out.
At a news conference Thursday, he attacked the assembled press corps, with a broad smile, as “lazy.”
Maybe I’m falling for an act, but his singular focus on the union and its members is refreshing in a town where everyone always seems to have an angle.
In the end, Taylor’s effectiveness can be found as plain as day in the contracts his members have secured. Our room attendants make 30 percent more than the national average, and unlike many of their peers, they have excellent health benefits secured by the Culinary contract. Those higher wages are also enjoyed by workers at nonunion hotels such as Station and Las Vegas Sands properties because they have to offer good pay to attract good workers.
Station has a lot of advantages in this fight. But don’t expect Taylor or the union to back down. Ever.
Comment removed by moderator. Name Calling
Let's look at reality. Our town needs lots of worker bees. We all know this country does not provide a sustainable minimum wage. In fact, our country has become a banana republic. Those who have don't want to hear about pension losses, benefit slashes and hours cut. The disdain of the one percenters is palpable. Unions have provided those living wages through the sacrifices of many lives over the years. This guy is doing his job. Station Casinos owners didn't exactly end up in the poorhouse through their bankruptcy. Many jobs, hours and wages were cut.
I am so sick of hearing average employees need to take one for the team. What team?? The Fertitta brothers didn't exactly move to the eastside during their financial problems, did they?
This negative mindset against union support just reflects the stupidity and ignorance of our population. One more valuable and crucial part of our history not taught in the school systems for the sake of testing . Pathetic.
Station employees DON'T WANT a union! They got the same wages and better benefits of unionized joints. Why would they want to pay dues to these crooks? I go to Station because they are NOT union and avoid places that play footsies with these thugs.
It's seems simple to me, if an overwhelming number of Station casinos workers wanted to be unionized then the union would have no problem getting in. What this guy and the Culinary are attempting to do is force unionization on a workforce that doesn't seem to want it.
Union bullying again. It's all about money to keep the unions going so they can buy more politicians.
I have known D. Taylor for over twenty years. He is as dedicated and tough as any person I have known. His motivation in this fight is to improve the lives of hardworking families.
I have known members of the Fertitta family too. They are spoiled, entitled bullies.
Ours in not a union family and I am not always pro-union. But this fight is an important one for working families and the continuation of a middle class in our Valley. Our family stands with the Culinary.
why unionize at station? for the benefit of the station employess? no, i think for the benefit of the greedy "union" itself.
Employers have used the current employment situation to frighten employees (who are fearful of losing their jobs) to take wage cuts, cuts to health benefits and cuts to the number of hours they work every week. This is not right. There are times when a Union is the only response workers have to being exploited and this is one of them. Workers, think for yourself and don't let the casinos convince you to vote against your own best self interest.
what i don't get is:
why does both the Stations and Culinary waste HUGE amounts of money on television/print advertising to defend their position?
who do they think they're going to convince? the union? highly doubtful. the current Station workers? again, highly doubtful.
those who do not fall in either camp? most of us don't give a hoot.
what an incredible waste of money. could they use those dollars for some positive benefit? probably.
but nooooo.
stupidity at its finest.
Those that are anti-union are just plain ignorant. Until you work for an employer bent on offering minimum wage, you cannot empathize with the plight of a Stations employee. It is said that if Station employees wanted a union, they would join one. Again the ignorance of those that believe that notion. Stations is exploiting the unemployment rate and most employees are intimidated by Stations strong arm tactics in fighting the union. Stations is masters at propaganda. Take note of yesterdays story of the Girl Scout cookie. Stations is not the only casino that offers cookies to its patrons. Station claims they pay an amount equal or better than those that are unionized. Again, pure propaganda. The Fertittas make money by gouging players, in the form of lower odds and pay employees below industry standards. Unless you work for the industry, you have no idea how much less a Stations employee earns, versus those in other gaming companies. Comparing apples to apples, employees with Boyd Gaming are far better off than Stations employees. I have first hand knowledge of said comparison, as compared to those that have no facts on the matter. They would rather voice their opinions based on pure ignorance.
"His motivation in this fight is to improve the lives of hardworking families"... His motivation is to squeeze as many dues out of the hardworking employees to foot their agenda. Their lives are improved by the fact that they Have A Job. If the employees wanted a union.. they'd have one by now.
Why pay union dues when you can turn around and put that money into your 401K.
Is the culinary worried they are going to run out of money when more pensions are being paid than money going in?
Apparenty the majority of Station employees do NOT want to be unioninzed. Soooo, the union is OBVIOUSLY in the "fight" for themselves, not for the workers. I've never belonged to a union and never would and do just fine, thank you. I am not a "poor downtrodened worker". Sheesh. Give me a break.
Here is a simple analogy in what is wrong with ANY UNION: A union broom pusher used to make $45 an hour. If a company came to the union and said, I have allocated $45 an hour to create 3 broom pusher positions at $15 an hour. Instead of putting just 1 person back to work, we can put 3 people back to work. Would the UNION accept those terms? Absolutely NOT. As an educated person with two college degrees, I cannot understand why anyone who was too lazy to try to do better for themselves by getting their degree would EVER deserve a $45 an hour broom pushing job. Why don't we put the hard working educated middle class back to work. It is DISGUSTING that someone who followed the AMERICAN path to success by putting themselves through college makes less money than uneducated non skilled labor jobs. THAT IS YOUR UNION FOR YOU!
I wish all workers had a union like Culinary. People mad about pay and benefits for ordinary workers in this town just have NO idea how much money is being made by the rich. This country is dripping with money, and multimillionaires cry about having to pay taxes and support others. Their lives are so privileged that they cannot imagine living like ordinary people. And it's just a short hop from that feeling to believing that some people are more human than others.
If we don't start respecting ordinary hardworking people in this country, we will not last long. Did investment bankers fight World War II for us? Did casino owners educate your children, or nurse your sick mother, or help you out when your car got hit? Wake up people! The rich are much, much richer than you think they are, and they are counting on your misunderstanding to keep them that way.
At one point do you say to yourself " i made a serious vocational error somewhere along the way" how much exactly do people want for slicing tomatoes and making beds. Look it's honarable work, truly, but if you're in those carrer fields, what planet are you on to expect over 14 an hour and to retire with a pension. Btw this union is spending millions of union dues fighting this. Good money after bad. Adelson won the war and it appears stations has won many battles
dave202 seems to have missed the part where the reason people in the industry get those things is because the union fought hard for them and won, so other businesses have to compete or risk losing employees.
The higher wages and benefits is good for Las Vegas anyway -- more money staying local going into our own economy.
Station Casino is just fine without being in a union. Unions have destroyed the workforce and companies across this nation. Unions just take money from its members to pay union executives like AFL-CIO Trumka, contribute billions of dollar to democratic candidates and under fund their pension. Unions look for favors from the politicians they supported and are looking for legislation to be pass for access to tax payers money. Unions just raises prices that consumers pay and do not promote competition among businesses. If unions are so great, what happen to the steel industry, why was GM and Chrysler given bailouts, why is American Airlines in bankruptcy. Unions is just a legal organization that was given labor rights from the politicians they have in their pocket and use the law to extort, disrupt and prey on innocent workers who are just trying to make a living. If unions are so great why don't they buy out Station Casino, American Airlines, GM and run the companies themselves, they don't because they know there is no money in it for them and most of the cost would go to labor.
"It is DISGUSTING that someone who followed the AMERICAN path to success by putting themselves through college makes less money than uneducated non skilled labor jobs. THAT IS YOUR UNION FOR YOU!"
This union vs. non union thing is about one thing and one thing only. The employer does not want an employee having any leverage. It begins and ends there. Whatever else you think about union or non union jobs is secondary to that.
Well, at the end of the day, how is the casino goer going to be treated? That's the real bottom line as attendance at Stations will go up, down, or stay the same. Would stations raise their prices on meals if they had to do union things? Would they raise the rent for the theaters, bowling alleys, and food chains? Does higher union costs trickle down to consumers? Also, is asking a casino chain in bankruptcy the right time to push for this?
The Fertitas, to their credit, have never allowed the union into Station, and they never will. The union has not succeeded in convincing the Station workers that they need a union.
The union hates this, because it may give the other big casino owners the idea that they really don't need the union (which the don't.) Hopefully, one of the big strip companies, if they have to go through bankrupsty, will take the opportunity to ditch the contract, and go non-union.
Nobody gets up of a morning and says, I think I'll start a Union today, Unions don't just happen, they are CAUSED by people like those running the Station Casinos, and others. To those of you that don't know why Unions are the best thing that can happen to a run of the mill working person you should walk one of their miles, just for 1 day. Corporations, large and small, like to take advantage of these human beings by creating hard choices and working and living conditions. We got away from this atmosphere in the 30'and 40's and even in the 50's. People need Unions when conditions get bad enough to rise up and tell these Bosses, they must share the Wealth being brought about by the same people that are creating it (workers) Fair is Fair, and there is no reason why they cannot share this Wealth. It's all a very simple solution (sharing) Both People and Owners will learn to get along a lot better rather than stay at each others throat forever, all is just a matter of compromise!!!!
I personally know that many employees at Stations are fearful of losing their jobs, are treated poorly by their direct supervisors most of whom are ill-trained and in positions above their skill level. They often 'make-up' reasons to fire people, and the employee has no recourse, as HR is poorly handled.
Their ad about how many apply for work at Stations is ONLY indicative of the need for work, not because people WANT to work at Stations.
Their NEW player's card program was manipulated to SOUND good, but in fact, when you go to redeem all of those 'extra' points (10 for $1) - they are worth 1 penny for the point! ripoff!
Stations sucks and always will. They DO NOT love locals, including their employees.
"The Fertitas, to their credit, have never allowed the union into Station, and they never will. The union has not succeeded in convincing the Station workers that they need a union."
Yes, by strong-arming and firing people who want to start one.
I also don't see why you seem to think that better wages and conditions for workers is such a horrible thing.
Without the Culinary wage schedule Station employees wouldnt be getting what they are today. Station must stay competitive to keep people there and the Culinary is their competition. Without the Culinary Union Station employees would be getting minimum wage....or less. Why cant they understand? You think Station likes paying a living wage? No they do not. Thank you Culinary for all your long standing efforts.
And no, I am not a culinary member.
Ask yourself how much these union goon executives made last year. How much were their travel and entertainment expense last year. You never see these guys in coach when they fly and trust me you will never ever see them in a McDonalds. They drain money in union dues from good decent people. This guy is going it for himself and no one else. If you honestly think he cares for the union gal or guy you are badly mistaken.
Union leaders are nothing but a bunch of thugs and government loving hacks. They were needed back in the 30's, but not now.
All this is now is just union thugs wanting to take more money from folks that don't want them around. That's why you see union membership dropping all over the country, and these guys are scared because it's the only thing they know to do...steal money from people and intimidate them.
They remind me of an old girlfriend that never got the clue that she wasn't needed...they're not needed anymore.
@NVFisherman
Ask your self what kind of salaries were being paid to the Station executives, all the while the company was losing millions per month until it finally cratered into bankruptcy. These guys were draining every last bit of cash out of the place before declaring bankruptcy. Then, thru sheer manipulation of the bankruptcy laws they were able to emerge, keep their high paying jobs and shed about..what was it, 3 billion in debt. Please...when I hear diatribes against the unions, I don't remember unions casting 3 billion dollars of bond holders money into the toilet bowl.
as tomd has stated and i have said repeatedly--this family should never have been given the company they ran into the ground back by the bankruptcy court and given the opportunity to do it again---do doubt, just as before they will screw everyone they can...especially the workers...and then after using the system to "pay" themselves with various tricks....they will end up belly up eventually again after stealing everything nailed down---no different then trump and the rest of the rip off scam people. I will never spend another 1cent in any station property and i can't understand why anyone goes to these joints and supports these crook families. These properties should have been divided and sold at auction to highest bidder---after short turmoil, new owners would emerge and maybe we'd get some competition in the locals market again.
We shall see what happens. Employees are promised a salary increase this July. If the increase is a joke, they will probablr turn and join the union
The Culinary UNION NEEDS REFORM AND TO RETHINK ITS AGENDA. We DO NOT NEED MORE ILLEGALS WORKING IN VEGAS casinos. The Union does NOT support our economy, just their own excessive compensation to union officials and national political favoritism. WE SUPPORT STATION CASINOS and will recreate there often.
And unions resulted in a generation of steelworkers LOSING THEIR RETIREMENT BENEFITS when they bankrupted the companies. Unions played a strong part in the insolvency of American car makers. Unions are patterned like socialistic organizations and governments. NOT WHAT WE NEED HERE.
Comment removed by moderator. Inappropriate