Bartenders May Be Gambling On Union At Foxwoods Casino

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.casinogamblingweb.com/gambling-news/casino-gambling/bartenders_may_be_gambling_on_union_at_foxwoods_casino_50593.html

On Thursday there was good news for Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut. By the end of the week, the joy that came with increased revenue was replaced by concern from the Mashantucket Pequot tribe.

Last year, dealers at the popular Connecticut casino voted in favor of joining a union headed by the United Auto Workers. The group is currently negotiating a deal that would give the dealers better benefits, and perhaps, increased pay.

Bartenders, bar porters, and beverage servers must have been impressed with the work of the union, because now they are set to vote themselves on whether to unionize. Although it is not the same union, the idea of unification seems appealing to these casino workers.

The United Food and Commercial Workers based out of Westport is filing a petition for an election. If approved, the union would represent almost 400 workers at Foxwoods. The union did, however, agree to respect tribal sovereignty, according to the Associated Press.

Foxwoods was forced to begin negotiations with the United Auto Workers Union that is representing the casinos' dealers. While the UFCW is attempting to represent around 400 workers, the UAW represents 2,600 workers.

March 15, 2009
Posted By April Gardner
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com