LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The trial before a U.S. administrative law judge in the largest Unfair Labor Practices case ever filed against a Nevada gaming company by the U.S. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) came to an abrupt end last week. In a surprise move, Station Casinos presented no defense when it came time for the company to defend itself.
Also, two workers fired by the company after exercising their lawful right to form a union at Station Casinos were recently reinstated after NLRB charges were filed alleging that the company fired the women because of their union activity. In the case of one of the workers, the government charged the company with allegedly retaliating against her because she testified as a government witness in the NLRB’s case against Station Casinos.
“Station Casinos is the third largest private employer in Las Vegas and it has been waging a hostile and what we believe is an illegal anti-union campaign against its workers who are only trying to secure a better future for themselves and their families,” said Culinary Workers Union President Geoconda Arguello-Kline. “It is truly alarming that a company which claims to loves locals has had the federal government step in to ensure that workers are not retaliated against for exercising their rights under federal labor laws.”
The government’s nearly seven-month prosecution of the company began on October 26, 2010. The NLRB’s case stems from charges filed by the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165 against Station Casinos.
After conducting an investigation of the charges filed by the unions, the NLRB issued a massive 166-count complaint against the company last fall. Additional charges were added later. The vast majority of the government’s charges allege that, from February 19 through August 31 of last year, the company illegally used threats, intimidation, interrogation, surveillance, bribery, discouragement, discrimination, discipline and even physical assault to thwart workers efforts to form a union, rights protected by federal labor laws.
A decision in the case is expected later this year.
The Culinary Workers Union, Local 226, and Bartenders Union, Local 165, are both affiliates of UNITE HERE. The Culinary is the largest local labor union in the U.S. gaming industry. The Culinary represents approximately 60,000 casino and resort workers primarily on the Las Vegas Strip and in downtown Las Vegas.
Visit www.culinaryunion226.org and www.workerstation.org for more information.