JOE CANO ORGANIZER

The workers at Stations Casinos are seeing the results from corporate greed and the lack of concern for the workers who made their properties so successful. They are now facing a major lack of job security and extreme cuts to their workforce.

Although we all recognize that our economy is faltering, which includes properties on the strip and downtown where our union workers are being laid off; there is a big difference in the process as opposed to the non-union workers. Our members have recall rights if they are in layoff status, which has to be processed according to seniority. It also means returning to work according to that seniority and before returning anyone to work with less seniority or newly hired into the company.

Also, our insurance coverage does not stop immediately, but is active for a couple of months beyond the layoff date, with the option of self-paying to continue that coverage. Additionally, a new “Life Saver Program” has been implemented for those who cannot afford to pay Cobra, which continues basic coverage for a much smaller self-payment. The non-union workers generally lose their benefits within a couple of days of their last day worked.

When you are an “at will” employee, without the safety net of a union contract like the Station Workers (or team members), lay-offs/ terminations can happen with or without cause and without regard to seniority. Consequently, they hire part-time workers who are not eligible for benefits (union workers can acquire benefits even if they are on extra board or part-time status).

Another major issue at Stations is many of their venues are being subcontracted out and workers are not even receiving a day’s notice that they no longer have a job.

As a result of their bankruptcy, many lawyers are involved in the Stations battle, some representing Stations itself, some representing the creditors, but none representing the workers. This is where we, the Union needs to represent the workers because they don’t have anyone to help protect their rights. §