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FacebookOrganizer’s tactics test limits, even for workers
Some MGM Mirage guards object to pictures linking exec, bin Laden
Mon, May 19, 2008 (2 a.m.)
A campaign to organize MGM Mirage security guards has turned ugly, with the union’s lead organizer comparing casino executives to terrorists and threatening to bring homeless people and prostitutes to the picket line to make things unpleasant for the company’s customers.
The hardball tactics come as no surprise to anyone who knows the organizer, Steve Maritas. He was convicted in San Diego of stalking his former girlfriend, who he says tricked him into violating a court order to keep his distance. And he says he learned a lot about the union business from his father, a former president of a 30,000-member carpenters district council in New York City who was indicted on racketeering charges.
Maritas’ efforts to organize guards has evoked a bit of a grin among MGM Mirage executives because they think his hard-charging tactics are so over-the-top for Las Vegas that he’ll discredit himself among the very guards he is trying to enlist.
MGM Mirage is telling employees at mandatory meetings that the best relationship between labor and management is a direct one that doesn’t involve a third-party union, and is calling Maritas’ tactics “strikingly offensive.”
Maritas says his tactics, on behalf of the International Union of Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America, are appropriate and that management “only understands one thing: disrupting their business.”
He acknowledges that his self-described street tactics backfired in Las Vegas when he put a picture of Osama bin Laden next to a picture of Mandalay Bay President Bill Hornbuckle on the union’s Web site. “They’re both terrorists,” he told the Sun. Maritas also highlighted MGM Mirage’s partnership with Dubai World, the Persian Gulf holding company — and linked it to the war in Iraq, complete with a counter of American war dead. “It was no disrespect,” he said.
“The whole point is that Americans are dying in Iraq for our freedom and (MGM Mirage) won’t let our guys have their freedom to join a union.”
Security guards, some of whom served in the military, were outraged and told Maritas to take the pictures down and apologize, which he did.
“Maybe it was a low move,” Maritas said. “But that’s the way (labor) war is ... I’m from the street. If I have to get down and dirty, I’ll do it.”
He contended that the guards’ initial disgust triggered solidarity among the bargaining unit and that employees have begun taking ownership of the organizing effort.
Maritas says his tactics are born out of frustration. Although he’s been collecting union cards at casinos up and down the Strip, his flagship campaign against MGM Mirage has stalled.
Days before a union election at the Luxor last month, the union filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging management had threatened to withhold scheduled pay raises and other benefits if workers vote for the union. The election at the property is on hold while the federal labor board investigates the charge.
Then, when the union filed for an election at Mandalay Bay, MGM Mirage challenged the size of the bargaining unit, seeking to exclude a quarter of the union’s 300 targeted security officers. The labor board has yet to make a decision or set an election date.
“Getting the cards is the easy part. But you file for an election and look at what happens,” Maritas said. “You can’t beat them at their own game. You can’t take them on head to head. The only way you can take them on is in the street.”
The union has dubbed security guards at Mandalay Bay the “300 Spartans” (the sacrificial army in Greek history) and plans a massive protest outside the property and other MGM Mirage casinos Memorial Day weekend — complete with a busload of homeless people, “the smellier the better,” Maritas said. “Ten dollars a head. I’ve done it on many occasions.” He said he may deliver prostitutes to the scene, too.
Maritas’ efforts to hold organizing elections goes against the grain of unions such as the Service Employees International Union and Unite Here, which work outside the federal election system. Instead, they make certain concessions to management in exchange for its neutrality so they can organize through less contentious card checks.
And labor experts say the security guards union in Las Vegas, by paying people to picket, risk sending a message of weak support to MGM Mirage and the public.
None of this concerns Maritas, though.
“They threw me in the corner. Now I got 300 guys I have to protect,” he said. “We’re strong. We’re going after them. We’re going to do whatever it takes.”
He said he learned those tactics in part from his father, Theodore Maritas, who headed the New York District Council of Carpenters.
Theodore, along with a cadre of mobsters, was indicted in 1981 on racketeering charges. He reportedly disobeyed mob orders and refused to plead guilty. The trial ended in a hung jury, but before Theodore could be retried, he disappeared.
“He was never convicted of anything,” Maritas said. “I can’t change my past, who I am and what I was born into. I’m proud of who I am, what my father stood for, and I’ll defend that until the day I die.”
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The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
Please Note the Following Corrections to the Above Story.
I, Steve Maritas was NEVER Convicted of Stalking which under California State Law is a Felony.
This is evident of the fact that under labor law I would be prohibited from holding and/or working for any labor organization. Contrary to the above published article I pled guilty to a harassment charge which was a misdemeanor.
As to some of the other misquotes printed in the above article:
At NO time did I ever call Mandalay Bay President Bill Hornbuckle a Terrorist.
The ones who are the REAL Terrorists are the UNION – BUSTERS Who are being Paid Millions of Dollars by MGM Mirage and their subsidiaries in their attempt to defeat the Casino Security Officers who are looking for Better Wages, Better Benefits, Better Working Conditions, Job Security, A Retirement Plan, A Voice on the Job, RESPECT!
Union busting is a field populated by bullies and built on deceit. A campaign against a union is an assault on individuals and a war on truth. As such, it is a war without honor. The only way to bust a union is to lie, distort, manipulate, threaten, and always, always attack.
Martin Jay Levitt, 1993, Confessions of a Union Buster
The irony of union busters is that management is extremely fearful of “losing control” of the workplace and sharing power with its workforce in the form of a union. Yet they happily hand over control of the workplace to the union busters they hire who do exactly that—directing the entire campaign and in effect taking control of the workplace by telling management and supervisors what to say, what to do and how to act. The money that management squanders on these union busters would be much better spent on dealing with the real workplace issues.
As to the statement that you said:
Maritas says his tactics are born out of frustration. Although he’s been collecting union cards at casinos up and down the Strip, his flagship campaign against MGM Mirage has stalled.
This is the Furthest Thing from the TRUTH! This Campaign is Alive and Strong and THE CASINO SECURITY OFFICERS WORKING IN EVERY LAS VEGAS CASINO WILL GET THE WAGES, BENEFITS AND RESPECT THEY TRULY DESERVE!
As to concessions to management in exchange for its neutrality so they can organize through less contentious card checks.
There Will be NO Concessions…..There Will Be NO Sell-Outs! As long as the Casino Security Officers Stand United and Strong We Will Achieve Our Goals! THEY ARE THE UNION!
As to you quoting me in regards to American Soldiers who have died in Iraq “Maybe it was a low move,” Maritas said. “But that’s the way (labor) war is ... I’m from the street. If I have to get down and dirty, I’ll do it.”
This was NEVER Said by me. I hold the highest regard for our American Soldiers who have and continue to die for our Freedom! However I would like to make a public apology for using our American Soldiers in this campaign that I admit was a mistake.
While I did say ... I’m from the street. If I have to get down and dirty, I’ll do it.” This is true but that statement was NOT Related to the above but rather to MGM Mirage’s
Union – Busting Tactics and Statement
“Those same laws also allow the company to express its viewpoint and, if necessary, Aggressively promote management’s belief that our best relationship with our employees is always face-to-face, without a third party intermediary,” spokesman Gordon Absher said.
Source: Las Vegas Sun
“Those same laws that also allow the company to express its viewpoint and, if necessary, Aggressively to promote management’s belief Will Also Apply To THE UNION! "
In conclusion may I state for the record that despite my aggressiveness I will continue to stand on my beliefs and I will continue to fight for those workers who seek my help no matter what industry or trade because from the beginning of my childhood my father taught me about the struggles of the workingmen and woman who live paycheck to paycheck without any hope of retiring with a decent pension plan, retirement plan or health benefits. How the average worker must continually fight each day to survive just to make ends meet. I was born into a labor movement that has and always will, continue to defend the RIGHTS of Workers everywhere, regardless of race, creed, or color in their struggle for a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.
I am very proud of what I stand for, what I believe in, what I have become and
Who My Father Was!
Respectfully
Steve Maritas
SPFPA Organizing Director
Proud Son of Theodore (TEDDY) Maritas
President of The New York District Council of Carpenters 1977 - 1982
http://www.spfpalocal7777.org
http://www.spfpalocal7777.org/SAFETYFIRS...
In Reference to your statement that “The union has dubbed security guards at Mandalay Bay the “300 Spartans” (the sacrificial army in Greek history)
Please be advised that these 300 Mandalay Bay Security Officers and the 7777 other Las Vegas Security Officers who are joining this fight for RESPECT are in fact Security Professionals and NOT GUARDS as you refer to them in your article.
I would also like to state for the record that:
UNITED WE STAND
ONE UNION
ONE STRONG
POWERFUL
VOICE FOR ALL
7777 LAS VEGAS
CASINO SECURITY
PROFESSIONALS
CITYWIDE
And that despite the Millions of Dollars MGM MIRAGE is Wasting on UNION - BUSTERS in their attempt to persuade the 300 Mandalay Bay Casino Security Professionals to vote against unionization, be advised that Our SPFPA Local 7777 members are Strong, United, and Educated on the Facts and Benefits of Unionization and on Election Day WE WILL MAKE HISTORY AND WE WILL PREVAIL!
Their Continued Attempts to Divide, Disempower, Subvert, and Destroy the Solidarity of Our Members Spirits with Outright Lies, Half Truths and Misinformation of Facts WILL NOT WORK!
Let it be known that from this day on the 300 Mandalay Bay Casino Security Professionals Who Have Shown Their Courage Against All Odds and Against Unlimited Funds and FEAR Tactics will Now be Known as ....
THE 300 MANDALAY BAY SPARTANS !
The Ones Who Found The Courage and
Strength Not to Flee or Surrender During Battle
in an Effort to Improve Their Lives and OUR FREEDOM!
http://www.spfpalocal7777.org/NEWS.html
Also please note the following.
The Union wants to HURT the company to get their way. In the olden days that was called a "protection racket".
Also now that his father was indicted on racketeering charges, something common to many of the unions.
This man is out for nothing more then sucking money out of the pay checks of the local security guards. No one takes him serious. He has no connections to Vegas or the workers of Vegas.
He is out to make himself rich. Nothing more.
Mandaly Bay and MGM have not stopped any worker from voting for a union. They have voiced their opinion as they can legally do.
Do the workers of this town really want another wanna be mob figure trying to protect their jobs when he is just out for himself?
Think before you leap!
(Removed by the site staff)
Wow...I think we've found a new definition of 'degenerate.' What a thug. There's a way to organize, and a way not to organize. This guy is out of control, and his belief that he 'will prevail' is hysterical.
I think the feds need to be crawling into this thugs underware.
As one of the Mandalay Bay 300, I am not afraid to post my real name. Here's a few facts for you.
Bill Hornbuckle, the COO and President of Mandalay, has already lied and misrepresented things he has said in the past. Just 2 weeks ago at a meeting I attended he admited to saying "If you don't like it, leave" stating he has regreted saying it and if he could he would take it back.
Just a few days ago, at a pre-shift, or in graveyards case, a post-shift meeting, he not only denied saying that, but played a video, which he said had been misrepresented by people saying he said it.
The Fact is at a manditory meeting for all employees at the end of 2006, Mr. Hornbuckle stated at the BEGINING of the meeting and I quote "If you don't like it leave".
Fact: the video he showed was at the end of the same meeting where he went over a survey all MGM-Mirage employees took, MGM was trying to be one of the Best 100 companies to work for. The employees of Mandalay Bay shot that down overwhelmingly, which prompted his opening statement.
Later at the same pre-shift meeting a lawyer for MGM corporate issued an implied treat, stating even if we vote in the union, MGM could, and implied it would, contest everything, including taking it to the courts, and it would be years, if ever, any contract is agreed to.
All I have to say to Bill Hornbuckle and MGM as a whole is, just wait till we have ALL MGM-Mirage properties, security departments organized!
And it will happen, because there are to many of us who remember how things where before MGM took over, and how totaly screwed up things are now, and not just in Security but in all departments.
Every property MGM took over from Mirage resorts and Mandalay Resort groups is suffering now from MGM's mismanagement. The Stockholders love Terri Lanni because Mr. Lanni is satisfing them at the expense of the workers.
Vote Union YES
To: Mandalay Bay Security Officers 05/09/08
Right Time, Right Union?
I only have one goal with this whole union thing—to try and share reality and logic at a very emotional and heated time. I’m risking bad-blood, but it’s too important for me to try to give some facts about the place that was my first job in Las Vegas; and that there are some very bad Unions.
I’m sure I’ve worked with most of you. While working I’ve earned a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration and a Masters Degree in Education. I was also a manager and trainer in the Jewelry Business for 10 years, mostly in the Chicago area, but including a stint with Kay Jewelers in Detroit, MI.
I was in the International Bricklayers and Allied Craftsmen Union from 1978-1992. Construction is a dangerous business, with people being killed all too often. Currently, I am also a licensed CCSD teacher teaching Middle School Math and a member of the Teacher’s Union. I was raised in a union family. I’ve seen unions do good—and bad, things. So, I hope that you see that I am neither a company- man nor a union-man.
What’s the point?
When things are wrong for an organization, which this particular Union is, I can see it coming from both sides of the street for 10 miles! Sure, MGM and Mandalay doesn’t want them, but neither should we.
But hold on, there’s really great news:
•We’ve already won. There is no doubt about it. Can’t you see it yet? More overtime is back to full-timers. All the executives are listening. There is new equipment and money finally being spent on things complained about for years. Our listed grievances have been heard-- louder, quicker, and with more active response because of a potential union than anything I’ve ever seen (or, yes, that would have ever been even listened to before). You say they’re only doing it now? You’re absolutely right.
The really bad news…
•I've seen guys like this before. This union is really an unknown; small; weak; and non-local entity coming in from Detroit, Michigan (of all possible places you don’t want to go), just to try and get to your hard-earned money through union dues.
•I have lived in the Detroit for a year managing a Jewelry store in 2002. That city is dying, sad to say. These union people know nothing about you or me, Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, etc. They are badly in need of revenue, is what it’s all about! And what about their tactics?
•This process would be so divisive and disruptive in the next year that you would wish (too late) at times that you never got involved and that everyone would really stop hating each other.
Summary: Truth is hard to find. I’m willing to give MGM and Mandalay Bay the time to do what they say they will. Time is on our side. We don't need Chicago or Detroit running Vegas again. One can only conclude: Wrong Union, Wrong Time.
Sincerely,
Officer Larry Lilly
One further thought for all you out there who own MGM-Mirage stock.
In 1999 MGM was worth about 3 billion dollars. In 2001 they bought Mirage resorts for about 6 billion, of which they borrowed money to do so. They also inherited about 4 billion in debt from Mirage resorts, or so said the Review Journal at the time.
In 2004 they bought Mandalay resort group for something like 6 billion dollars, of which they again borrowed money to do. They also inherited about 6.1 billion in debt from Mandalay Bay. How do I know that number, because in one of the top executives of Mandalay Bay, he had books with all the notes and when they were do behind his desk, on the spine of the books was list the amount in the book, and if you added them up, and I did, you got a total of 6.1 billion.
Then they started building in Macao, City Center, purchased the Primm properties ect. Finally it got so bad they could not borrow any more money from the banks, and put Mandalay bay up for sale, the only offer, as reported in the RJ was by station casinos for 2.1 billion, which is way under value. Which forced them to sell half of City Center, a 9 billion dollar project, to Dubai world for 2.5 Billion, with Dubai world also agreeing to purchase 2.5 billion in stock. Saving MGM from a probable banckruptcy.
MGM's debt has got to be close to the value of the stock. I would not want to own any of that stock. I hope nothing happens to MGM which may prevent them from paying the interest on their loans. Can anyone say RECCESSION.
UNIONS = LAZY
SEE HOW MUCH FREE TIME THEY HAVE TO ESPOUSE THEIR LIES AND RHETORIC!
I REST MY CASE.
>>>>> A campaign to organize MGM Mirage security guards has turned ugly, with the union’s lead organizer comparing casino executives to terrorists and threatening to bring homeless people and prostitutes to the picket line to make things unpleasant for the company’s customers. <<<<<
This is absolutely hilarious. I would love to see this happen. It's ironic that I would probably equate the security thugs with terrorists more than I would the casino execs, though I certainly have no more respect for the execs than I do the thugs. An example of what these security "officers" are capable of:
http://www.thebeargrowls.com/?p=6
An example of what the MGM Grand execs are capable of:
http://www.thebeargrowls.com/?p=56
I don't think I'd want anyone from either group to my home for dinner. They deserve each other. The overzealous union guy fits right in.
"Union busting is a field populated by bullies and built on deceit. A campaign against a union is an assault on individuals and a war on truth. As such, it is a war without honor. The only way to bust a union is to lie, distort, manipulate, threaten, and always, always attack."
I have to say, I've never known a casino to hire homeless people to picket..... bullies??? This guy is ridiculous!! Are you kidding me?? What's he going to do for the workers?? Take part of their paycheck that's all... No wonder he's trying so hard - I don't know what a Union charges... $5.00 a person? That's 1500 a payperiod for this guy to do NOTHING!! No wonder he's pushing so hard!
C'mon Las Vegas and wake up!!!
Take a look at what's happening in my union town. Don't let Las Vegas lose the entrepreneurial spirit which makes Vegas so great and turn this into just another socialist union town!!!
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic...
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic...
Millions are being spent on the Union busting tactics. We, the Officers of Mandalay Bay Security, a proud group of individuals, would have a great beginning for a pension fund! The only way we will get this is with the Union.
To all the casino Security Professionals of Las Vegas: My name is Dwayne Phillips and I am the President of SPFPA Local 1227, and I work for Greektown Casino in Detroit, Michigan. We are currently in contract negotiations for our second contract, where myself and our elected Executive Board, by the rights of our SPFPA membership, are able to bargain with the casino Management team. At the bargaining table we openly discuss our wages, benefits, and working conditions and once we reach agreement on the issues, the final draft is brought to the membership for a yeah or nay vote. The right to bargain and getting your individual voice heard (thru your reps) is a excusive right of union membership. When you vote yes for the SPFPA you are taking stock in YOUR future, standing up for YOUR RIGHTS that many before us fought hard for. Think about it... every vendor, every contrator, and most likely the very COO of the Casino has a contract, outlining their wages or prices, working conditions, etc, WHY SHOULD THE VERY WORKERS THAT SECURE THE COMPANY'S MONEY AND ASSESTS BE EXCLUDED FROM THE SAME PRIVILEGE !!! I read some of the other posted comments which talks about dues, yes paying dues is a part of union membership, but not one dollar is collected (or asked for) until you get a contract passed by the membership. I see it as a risk free offer !!
In closing, I want to talk about Steve Maritas. Before we became a SPFPA Local, Steve was there seeing us through the first steps and the management scare tactics, and not only him but the entire staff at the SPFPA Headquaters in Roseville, Michigan. I am currently a Military Reservist (after serving 10 yrs active duty)I am finishing my 20 years serving this great country of ours, and I have been on the road a few times with Steve, I have to tell all my Military Brothers and Sisters, that Steve has only the greatest respect for our conutry and those who fight for it. Steve is a fighter in his own right, I have personally witnessed, during an organizing drive, where another union was present and they would not cross the street, which would have given them direct access to the workers, but Steve w/ his fighting spirit grabed some handbills and walked right across the street and started passing them out and talking to the casino Security Officers and other workers as well. Now I am sure the other union won't admit it but I was there and I know Steve being there crushed the momentum of the Union Buster's efforts and when the votes were cast the other union and SPFPA won the right to represent their respected workers. Security Professionals don't allow yourselves to focus on anything but the truth and that is COMPANYS DON'T LIKE ORGANIZERS, DON'T LIKE UNIONS, BECAUSE THEY ENPOWER THE WORKERS AND GIVE THEM A SAY IN THEIR FUTURE...JOIN US, JOIN THE SPFPA, YES UNION!!!
In the immortal words of Geronimo "What do you mean we white man". How dare you individual security "GUARDS" speak for the entire department. You by yourselves want the union, not the whole department. You mindless people who can't form a coherent sentence or can't maintain an individual thought and have to follow just like sheep. If I remember correctly the Spartans were all killed. I can gaurantee there are "NOT" 3oo Mandalay Bay Officers fighting for this union. Those of you who feel the need to follow this course of action "Prepare to be assimilated" and go forth and die bravely. The rest of us will be sitting at the bar having a cold beer. In closing I would like to ask BretHumphries to please use spell check or a dictionary before he makes everyone at Mandalay Bay look stupid. You can't spell recession let alone understand what it is.
In the Battle of Thermopylae which occurred in 480 BC, an alliance of Greek city-states fought the invading Persian Empire at the pass of Thermopylae in central Greece. Vastly outnumbered, the Greeks held back the Persians for three days in one of history's most famous last stands. A small force led by King Leonidas I of Sparta blocked the only road through which the massive army of Xerxes I of Persia could pass. After three days of battle, a local resident named Ephialtes is believed to have betrayed the Greeks by revealing a mountain path that led behind the Greek lines. Dismissing the rest of the army, King Leonidas stayed behind with 300 Spartans, 700 Thespian volunteers, 400 Thebans that had been pressed into service, and 900 Helots.
The Persians succeeded in taking the pass but sustained losses disproportionate to those of the Greeks. The fierce resistance of the Spartan-led army offered Athens the invaluable time to prepare for a decisive naval battle that would come to determine the outcome of the war.
The subsequent Greek victory at the Battle of Salamis left much of the Persian Empire's navy destroyed and Xerxes retreated to Asia, leaving a force in Greece under Mardonius, who was to meet the Greeks in battle one last time. The Spartans assembled at full strength and led a pan-Greek army that defeated the Persians decisively at the Battle of Plataea, ending the Greco-Persian War and with it, the expansion of the Persian Empire into Europe.
The performance of the defenders at the battle of Thermopylae is often used as an example of the advantages of training, equipment, and good use of terrain as force multipliers, and has become a symbol of courage against overwhelming odds.
We Are The Proud 300 Mandalay Bay Spartans Who are Going To Prevail on FRIDAY 13th
UNION YES!
WOW! Thanks for that. So the 300 are fighting the "Evil" enemy meaning MGM/Mirage? So if I understand this all correctly, all these people are fighting against someone they freely chose to work for and have the freedom to leave at any time. These same individuals trust an outside agency to get them better results from the same "Evil" enemy! In my experience, this is the same as prostitution. A pimp bargaining with a john for more money to get screwed.
You Sound Like a High Priced Union-Buster fj-Cram
Fiqure This One Out
Military strategy is a collective name for planning the conduct of warfare. Derived from the Greek strategos, strategy was seen as the "art of the general". Military strategy deals with the planning and conduct of campaigns, the movement and disposition of forces, and the deception of the enemy. The father of modern strategic study, Carl von Clausewitz, defined military strategy as "the employment of battles to gain the end of war." Liddell Hart's definition put less emphasis on battles, defining strategy as "the art of distributing and applying military means to fulfill the ends of policy" Hence, both gave the preeminence to political aims over military goals, ensuring civilian control of the military.
UNION YES!
It is always interesting reading the Comment section. Some of the names appear on a regular basis - especially "junjun". These comments always get a laugh because of the horrible grammar and spelling and incapable thought structure.
It's very funny to me when these so called spartan's were getting their needs met via overtime they had nothing to say about a union. Well that is except Brett we all know he is over opionated about everthing especially management. Maybe if he knew how to manage his money and time he would not be crying about his lack of money. Also all of you who have a pension coming from former jobs when it hits the fan and it will! I just hope you all will be so kind to share some of your hard earned money with those who will stuck with no raises or overtime. By the way not everyone at the Bay is for this union. Maybe you old guys should have thought more about your fellow officers, than just yourselves when you started this.
I knew this officer sniping at one another would already start. This isn't what we want! This Union is already trying to divide and conquer you, and you lose-lose for sure. MGM is just sitting back and laughing now.
-And just wait when there would be union elections for new officials, where everybody in the department would be divided yet again. How about a candidate for B.A. in the Bricklayers Union having his house fire-bombed!? He was a good friend of mine and his dog was killed. Luckily, Bob and his family weren't home. I've literally seen people beaten and threatened on picket lines in the Chicago and Detroit area.
-Any, and I mean any, comparison to Greek/ Spartan mythology is the biggest bunch of propaganda mis-direction nonsense I've ever heard. This is 2008. Wake up! I told you on May 9th this union was made up of the "wrong stuff" for leadership. Maritas is talking trash with such stupidity now that everyone should see through him. The Las Vegas Sun questioned his tactics. But a zebra can't change his stripes. Is he really proud of a father of questionable background that "disappeared"?. Does he really intend to do "whatever it takes"? Sounds like the 1930's and Chicago. Does History indeed repeat itself?
But this current chapter of Vegas history has really amazed me. There is a time for the right situtation to manifest itself. Vote NO on this particular Union, or your life will become worse!
Security Officer Larry Lilly
As to Larry Lilly comments - Get REAL The Gangsters of the Old Days. are Gone....Your Watching To Many Late Night Movies!
However I will agree with your comment on what's been happening at Mandalay Bay
We've already won. There is no doubt about it. Can't you see it yet? More overtime is back to full-timers. All the executives are listening. There is new equipment and money finally being spent on things complained about for years. Our listed grievances have been heard-- louder, quicker, and with more active response because of a potential union than anything I've ever seen (or, yes, that would have ever been even listened to before). You say they're only doing it now? You're absolutely right.
THE UNIONS JOB IS TO UNITE A UNION-BUSTERS JOB IS TO DIVIDE!
PS: Larry Lilly You Signed a Membership Card For The Union What Changed ? Did Management BUY YOU OFF WITH PROMISES?
I am a proud union member of SPFPA who worked with Maritas for many years. Steve is indeed one of the prodigal sons of the labor movement, and organizing workers is a natural talent of his. I have heard him associate the work of labor leaders with the deadly tasks of our servicemen overseas, whenever greedy Employers like MGM unleash a team of union-busters to undercut his efforts to organize workers for better wages, or interfere with his audacious attempts to set the premise for discussions pertaining to fair wages, respect and dignity and the end of corporate greed. These exploitive business methods perpetrated by MGM and other antiunion corporations have taken away the decent retirement programs our grandparents relied on, comprehensive family heath plans, and for the most part kept wages stagnant, while the cost of goods and services continued to rise. They have contributed to failed economies as much as the fundamentalist Islamic terrorists have taken part in the peril of the many Americans on September 11, 2001.
The other dilemma in America is low paying jobs, where employees are oppressed and unable to support their families. Steve Maritas gives a voice to these hard working people, but MGM of course, will try to paint him with the wrong brush, and confuse the brilliance of his work with an attack against Iraq war veterans. Maritas is soldier at heart, and his insurmountable strategies earned him the best organizing record by any labor organization in the United States in 2006, 2007, and 2008 with Eighty eight percent (80% to 88%) success level , as Organizing Director for the International Union, Security Police and Fire Professionals Of America, SPFPA. His commitment to the cause of American workers, is what members like myself see in him, not his arrest record, nor the comments made by dishonest Employers who would do anything to interfere with the progress of workers - they are willing to spend a fortune to stop Maritas from spreading the truth.
On June 13, (FRIDAY THE 13th) I am confident the MGM workers will come out in great numbers to vote for Americas largest 9 (b)(3) security union, SPFPA. They will join Maritas on the path to workers' freedom.
In solidarity
A proud union member
I support of Steve Maritas for what he is trying to achieve and The 300 Mandalay Bay Spartans
ProudUnionMember:
I didn't sign a membership card. Prove that lie. That's another easy cheap shot along with being promised something. I don't need to be promised anything. I've never talked to management about this. #1) I don't want to talk about it with them. #2) They can't and don't talk about it! It's illegal to talk about it. #3) You're really naive if you don't know who these people are and what still exists. #4)I already made it clear. I belong to a union! This is the wrong union for Mandalay Bay. Do your job and you would have no problems. How sad it is that people don't get that in America.
To fjcram,
People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. You need to do a spell check yourself sir/madam!! Guarantee is the correct spelling (you did gaurantee).
To lwlilly,
You mention that you belong to a much better union, so why aren't you saying which union? Those of us at other MGM/MIRAGE properties need to know because we do want the right union in here. I know at my casino in Security, the director is a real jerk and Employee Relations (oops I mean Management Relations) is absolutely no help. What we have without a union is is Win for the casino and a loss for us. Steve Wynn wasn't the best but he wasn't as bad as this company. Tell us what the name is of the right union.
Be careful w/SPFPA brothers and sisters. This is a union that gets into bed with the boss any chance it gets. At the Port of Tacoma, Securitas forced SPFPA on the workers to try to keep them out of ILWU. SPFPA rolled over like a good dog, let the boss fire anybody who supported ILWU, let a supervisor threaten people into signing SPFPA cards, let the company represent them at the NLRB, on and on, and settled for less than a third of what ILWU guards make. Maybe they're better in LV, but on the west coast waterfront SPFPA is a scab outfit.
Letter of Understanding
Between MGM MIRAGE and the International Union, Security Police and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA)
1. The parties hereby establish the following procedure for the purpose of ensuring an orderly environment for the exercise by the Employer’s employees (casino security professionals) of their rights under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act and to avoid picketing and/or other economic action directed at the Employer at any of their casinos or operations (at which the Union does not have representation rights).
2. The Employer will recognize that national labor law guarantees employees (casino security professionals) the right to form or select any labor organization to act as the employees’ exclusive bargaining representative for the purposes of collective bargaining with the Employer, or to refrain from such activity.
3. The Employer will take a positive approach to unionization of employees employed as casino security professionals as per the enclosed memorandum of agreement.
4. The Employer will advise such employees (casino security professionals) that you welcome their selection of a collective bargaining agent. As you did with the Culinary Union.
5. The Employer will not do any action nor make any statements that will directly or indirectly state or imply any opposition by the Employer to the selection by such employees of a collective bargaining agent, or preference for or opposition to any particular union as a bargaining agent.
J. Terrence Lanni, President Chairman & CEO
MGM Mirage
3950 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV 89119
Fax 702 – 632 - 7179
May 27, 2008
Re: MGM Mirage / SPFPA Recognition Agreement
Dear Mr. Lanni
Please be advised that the International Union, Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) is presently seeking to organize all MGM Mirage casino security professionals working at the following MGM Mirage Las Vegas casinos, the MGM Grand, Excalibur, New York New York, Monte Carlo, Bellagio, Mirage, Treasure Island, and Circus Circus. This is in addition to our pending elections at both Mandalay Bay and Luxor Casino.
In accordance with the enclosed memorandum of agreement between Mandalay Corp dba Mandalay Bay Resorts and Casino and Local Joint Executive Board of Las Vegas for and on behalf of Culinary Workers Union Local No. 226 and Bartenders Union, Local No. 165 which is an addendum to their collective bargaining agreement and reflected in all other existing MGM Mirage subsidiary casino collective bargaining agreements, we hereby request that you extend the same rights to the Union (SPFPA) and your casino security professionals seeking to organize with the SPFPA as you did with Culinary Union.
Enclosed is a letter of understanding between the parties. Please review and sign. If you should have any questions please do not hesitate to call me at 646-567-6454.
In conclusion I would also like it noted for the record that several Mirage casino security officers are actively and openly soliciting their co-officers to join our union. Namely Carol Shrum and Kim Lubyewski. We ask that your management staff do not take any retaliatory action against these individuals for exercising their Section 7 rights.
Respectfully
Steve Maritas
SPFPA Organizing Director
Cc: Paul A Ades, General Counsel for Labor and Employment 702-862-1698
6. The Union and its representatives will not coerce or threaten any employee of the Employer in an effort to obtain authorization cards.
7. The Employer shall not interfere with access on its premises to such employees by the Union to the extent such access is permitted by the Employer’s lawful solicitation rules.
8. Within ten (10) days following receipt of this written notice of our intent to organize your casino security professionals at the above casinos, the Employer will furnish the Union (SPFPA) with a complete list of such employees, including both full and part-time employees (casino security professionals). Within two weeks thereafter, the Employer will furnish a second list of such employees to the Union, including the addresses of all employees (casino security professionals) unless an employee objects in writing to the disclosures of his or her name. Thereafter, the Employer will provide updated lists monthly.
9. The Union may request recognition as the exclusive bargaining agent for employees in the traditional bargaining unit represented by the Union at MGM Grand Detroit. A disinterested party, neutral party mutually satisfactory to the Employer and the Union will be selected to conduct a review of employees authorization cards and membership information submitted by the Union in support of its claim to represent the majority of the employees (casino security professionals) within the unit has joined the Union or designated it as their exclusive collective bargaining representative, the Employer will recognize the Union as such representative of the employees and will extend to such employees the language negotiated in the collective bargaining agreement between Mandalay Corp dba Mandalay Bay Resorts and Casino and Local Joint Executive Board of Las Vegas for and on behalf of Culinary Workers Union Local No. 226 and Bartenders Union, Local No. 165 together with any amendments agreed to by the parties, excluding wages and other benefits in which the union is prepared to negotiate along with employee committee representatives. The Employer will not file a petition with the National Labor Relations Board for any election in connection with any demands for recognition provided for in this agreement.
10. The parties agree that any disputes over the interpretation or application of this agreement shall be submitted to expedited arbitration to a mutually acceptable person, as the arbitrator. The arbitrator shall have the authority to order the non—compliant party to comply with this agreement. The parties hereto consent to the entry of any order of the arbitrator as the order or judgment of the United States District Court for the District of Nevada, without notice or entry of findings of fact and conclusion of law.
"Casino security professionals" --- that would be funny if it wasn't so silly. I doubt if the hiring standards for these chumps, if any standards exist at all, are much more than having to be at least 21 years of age.
My understanding is that the lying cretin in the Dougherty case (linked below) was not even fired for his misdeeds. He and others of his ilk are "professionals"? Oh, please!
http://www.thebeargrowls.com/?p=6
LUXOR Management Caught RED HANDED!
Just when you thought You Seen Every Dirty Trick in the Book, Luxor Security Manager David Skelton, Gets Caught Red Handed assisting Luxor employees in the drafting of a petition against SPFPA.
On or about May 29, 2008 the Employer through its agents including but not limited to Security Manager David Skelton encouraged and assisted employees to draft and circulate a petition against SPFPA. Security Manager Skelton and other Security Department supervisors assisted in creating the language of the petition, permitted unit employees to craft the petition while on duty, permitted unit employees to use Employer computers and/or copies to create the petition and otherwise assisted in the creation and distribution of the petition.
SPFPA Attorneys have already Taken Legal Action Against Luxor management by filing an Unfair Labor Charges with the NLRB for Encouraging and Assisting employees to draft a petition against SPFPA.
We believe this petition was going to suddenly appear just prior to the FRIDAY The 13th Union Election in managements attempt to discourage the 300 Mandalay Bay Spartans from Voting YES!
http://www.spfpalocal7777.org/NEWS.html
BUSTING The UNION - BUSTERS
Our Investigation Reveals
Nobel Miller and Ed Young
Union - Busters for
MGM MIRAGE Subsidiaries
Mandalay Bay and Luxor
FAILED TO FILE THEIR LM-20 Reports With the
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
as Required By Law
SPFPA 's Attorneys Will Be Filing a Formal Complaint With The Department of Labor on Behalf of Casino Security Professionals Working for Mandalay Bay and Luxor by the END of this Week!
UNDER THE LAW THEY MUST FILE THEIR LM-20 WITHIN 30 DAYS
The Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959, as amended (LMRDA), requires public disclosure of agreements or arrangements made between any person, including labor relations consultants and other individuals and organizations, and an employer to undertake certain activities concerning employees or labor organizations. Pursuant to Section 203(b) of the LMRDA, every person who undertakes any such activities under an agreement or arrangement with an employer must file a detailed report with the Secretary of Labor. The Secretary, under the authority of the LMRDA, has prescribed the filing of the Agreement and Activities Form LM-20, to satisfy this reporting
requirement.
II. WHO MUST FILE
Any person who, as a direct or indirect party to any agreement or arrangement with an employer, undertakes, pursuant to the agreement or arrangement, any activity of the type described in Section 203(b) of the LMRDA must file a Form LM-20. A “person” is defined by the LMRDA Section 3(d) to include, among others, labor relations consultants and other individuals and organizations. A person “undertakes” activities not only when he/she performs the activity but also when he/she agrees to perform the activity or to have them
performed.
A “direct or indirect party” to an agreement or
arrangement includes (1) persons who have secured the services of another or of others in connection with an agreement or arrangement of the type referred to in Section 203(b) of the LMRDA, and (2) persons who have undertaken activities at the behest of another or of others with knowledge or reason to believe that they are undertaken as a result of an agreement or arrangement between an employer and any other person. However, bona fide regular officers, supervisors, or employees of an employer are exempt from this reporting requirement to the extent that the services they undertook to perform were undertaken as such bona fide regular officers, supervisors, or employees of their employer.
Each person who has entered into any agreement or arrangement to undertake activities described in the form and instructions must file the report within 30 days after entering into such agreement or arrangement. You must file any changes to the information reported in Form LM-20
NOTE: A separate Form LM-20 must be filed for each agreement or arrangement the filer makes with an employer to undertake any activity of the type set forth in LMRDA Section 203(b).
WHERE TO FILE
The completed Form LM-20 and any required
attachments and additional pages must be mailed to the following address:
U.S. Department of Labor
Employment Standards Administration
Office of Labor-Management Standards
200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room N-5616
Washington, DC 20210
http://www.spfpalocal7777.org/LM20REPORT...
Terrorists could use Super Casinos as a Cover to Channel Funds, Senators say MGM Mirage Fined for Breaching Financial Rules
GIANT casinos present an “unusual opportunity” for terrorists and criminal gangs to launder money, members of an influential Senate panel have claimed.
Their comments came after a record $5 million (£2.7 million) fine imposed on MGM Mirage — which has plans for super- casinos in Newcastle upon Tyne, Sheffield and London — for failing to comply with US measures to combat money-laundering.
Source: Times Online
http://www.spfpalocal7777.org/MGMMiragef...
http://www.spfpalocal7777.org/DubaiWorld...
PRESS RELEASE
The International Union, Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) has Officially Filed Charges through our attorneys with the Department of Labor against
MGM MIRAGE Subsidiaries Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino and Luxor Resort and Casino and their Labor Consultants for Failing to file their LM-10 and LM-20 Reports as required by law within 30 days of entering into agreement to undertake persuader activities.
MGM MIRAGE (NYSE: MGM), one of the world's leading and most respected development companies with significant holdings in gaming, hospitality and entertainment, owns and operates 17 properties located in Nevada, Mississippi and Michigan, and has 50% investments in four other properties in Nevada, New Jersey, Illinois and Macau. MGM MIRAGE is developing major casino and non-casino resorts, separately and with partners in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, the People's Republic of China and Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. MGM MIRAGE supports responsible gaming and has implemented the American Gaming Association's Code of Conduct for Responsible Gaming at its properties. MGM MIRAGE has received numerous awards and recognitions for its industry-leading Diversity Initiative and its community philanthropy programs.
For more information on WHY MGM MIRAGE subsidiaries and their labor consultants have failed to file their LM-10 and LM-20 Reports with the U.S. Department of Labor contact:
MGM MIRAGE
CONTACT: Investment Community, DAN D'ARRIGO, EVP & Chief Financial Officer, +1-702-693-8895, or Media, ALAN M. FELDMAN, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, +1-702-650-6947, afeldman@mirage.com, both of MGM MIRAGE
To View Letter to the U.S. Department of Labor Visit the website below
http://www.spfpalocal7777.org/LM20REPORT...
I work Security at The Mirage. I've lived and working in Vegas all my life and have never been treated better by any casino. We don't need...don't want...will not have this union represent us!
I am proud of the Officers at Mandalay Bay for voting NO. I will be doing the same. Let's send this guy back to whatever rock he crawled out from under.