Friday, November 20, 2009

Union enlists homeless to picket Rivers Casino Move follows ‘no’ vote on SPFPA union Pittsburgh Business Times by Anya Litvak

Since 73 security employees at the Rivers Casino narrowly rejected efforts to unionize last week, the rhetoric, antics and paperwork have reached a new pitch.

On Nov. 18, for example, Steve Maritas, organizing director for the International Union, Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA), announced that the union would gather several hundred homeless to picket in front of the casino at a later date. The e-mail announcement pictured casino President and COO Ed Fasulo’s face superimposed on an image of a homeless person’s body, standing beside a cart of plastic bags. In the picture, the figure is holding a sign: “Before you turn away put yourself in their place.”

Ed Fasulo, President and COO of Rivers Casino

Maritas said the plea is meant to “bring awareness to the poverty wages being paid to the workers of Rivers Casino.”

Some casino employees, such as housekeeping staff, earn $8 per hour, while security workers typically start at $9.50. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. Greg Carlin, CEO of the Rivers Casino, said compensation packages are commensurate with those of other employees in the industry.

Maritas said the union sometimes employs homeless picketers, paying them between $15 and $20 per hour, to represent the employees inside the establishment who may be too fearful to protest themselves. The idea is to get people’s attention, he said. In fact, Maritas seemed excited by the casino’s announcement that it would collect canned food and supplies for the holidays to benefit the region’s poor. The coincidence can be a cross-promotional opportunity.

“They can collect the cans, and we can bring out the homeless,” he said.

ON PAPER

The security workers’ union, which represents about 2,000 employees in the Pittsburgh area, including some at local hospitals, filed two complaints against the casino with the National Labor Relations Board. One alleges unfair labor practices — surveilling union organizers and employees, threatening workers with loss of wages, benefits and jobs if a union is established. The second complaint disputes the results of the Nov. 9 election.

“Our management at no time would condone any behavior that might intrude upon workers’ rights,” Carlin said in response to the allegations, promising a vigorous defense.

“We are very disappointed on behalf of all our employees that the union has chosen not to respect the results of the government-conducted secret ballot,” he said. “In doing so, union organizers ignore the wishes of our security officers, surveillance agents and technicians — the majority of whom voted against unionizing.” Press Here For The REAL TRUTH

A security employee who asked to remain anonymous for fear of job loss, said that prior to the vote, casino managers gathered two or three workers at a time for meetings where a slide show on organizing urged them to vote against the union.

Carlin confirmed the briefings, saying: “We felt an obligation to our employees to clarify and provide factual information. Any call to action was for employees to decide.”

Such a tactic is not illegal, said Metz Lewis attorney John Bechtol. In fact, anything that falls outside of TIPS — threats, interrogation, promises or surveillance — is fair game, he said.

“They can say, ‘We want you to vote no,’ and list the reasons,” Bechtol said. “You can also say things like, ‘Unions will wind up putting somebody between you and me in our relationship.”

A LARGER GOAL
For Maritas, the cause is bigger than just the Rivers Casino. In fact, he said the union will use the occasion of its election defeat to promote the Employee Free Choice Act, proposed federal legislation that would allow workers to organize by checking their union preference on a postcard. If the majority of workers indicate a pro-union stance, then a union is automatically formed, without the requirement of voting in person.

Another applicable provision of the pending federal legislation would impose penalties of $20,000 for each unfair labor practice violation. Currently, employers who are found at fault by the labor board must post a notice in the workplace explaining their violation.

MORE TO COME
The security workers’ union isn’t the only labor group in discussions with the casino’s staff.

Mike Yoffee, organizing director for the United Steelworkers Union, said calls from casino employees started “flooding” in several months ago, when the security union was ramping up its campaign. Workers were concerned about “arbitrary treatment from the management of the casino” such as unexplained disciplining and firing, he said. Others said they wanted a higher wage.

It’s not unusual for non-steelworkers to seek the USW’s help in organizing, Yoffee said. About 20 percent of the union’s members are in service industries, such as health care and hospitality, he said. There is nothing that would prevent all of the casino’s 1,100 employees from joining the USW if they choose, Yoffee said, but he cautioned that the union is “not in the throes of a full-blown organizing drive at the moment” and that the workers will decide if, how and when they want to organize.

“When we represent workers in a new operation, whether it’s a factory or hotel or casino, we are sensitive to the ramp-up of a facility and the issues that a start-up faces,” Yoffee said. “But at the same time, we don’t think that that gives the management a pass at treating their workers fairly.”

Union no-vote

International Union for Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA)
Eligible casino employees: 84 security personnel
Vote date: Nov. 9
Vote: 38 opposed, 35 in favor

alitvak@bizjournals.com | (412) 208-3824

Union plans appeal over Rivers Casino vote

Rivers Casino Supervisor Physically Assaults Casino Security Officer during Union Campaign

Over 300 Homeless people expected to Picket Rivers Casino

http://www.unionbusting101.com/

PITTSBURGH: Rivers Casino Bets Against Hunger
Posted: 4:20 pm EST November 13, 2009Updated: 4:26 pm EST November 13, 2009

The Rivers Casino on the North Shore is helping out the hungry this holiday season by sponsoring a food drive for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

Beginning Monday, November 16th casino customers can bring non-perishable food or grocery items and receive $5.00 in free play for each item (limit 3 items, $15.00 per person, per day).

The food drive offer is good for Mondays ONLY through December 21st. Participants will receive their free play through their Riverwatch Player Club Card only. Food donors who don’t have a card can sign up for one at the casino; there is no charge.

Volunteers will be stationed at the front door and at the entrance from the parking garage to assist in the collection of food donations. Donors are reminded not to bring items in glass jars.

Most-needed items include canned meat and fish, peanut butter, holiday-associated items like canned yams; healthy boxed items like low-sugar cereal, rice and pasta; fruit and vegetables or non food items like shampoo, toothpaste, paper goods or cleaning items.

http://www.wpxi.com/news/21609268/detail.html

Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank

About the Rivers Casino

The Rivers Casino is a joint venture between Walton Street Capital, High Pitt Gaming and Don Barden. Neil Bluhm, the Founding Principal of Walton Street Capital, has over four decades of experience developing commercial, residential and gaming properties. Greg Carlin, the CEO of High Pitt Gaming, LLC, has over a decade of gaming investment and management experience. Other casino projects owned and managed by Mr. Bluhm and Mr. Carlin include the Fallsview Casino Resort in Ontario, the Riverwalk Casino & Hotel in Vicksburg, MS, and the SugarHouse Casino in Philadelphia.

Tags: Rivers Casino, Casino Security Officers, Walton Street Capital, High Pitt Gaming, Don Barden, Neil Bluhm, Greg Carlin, John Kovach, Jackson and Lewis, Union Busting, SPFPA, Steve Maritas, USW, United Steel Workers, Homeless, Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Ed Fasulo, President and COO of Rivers Casino