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Caesars Palace News in brief dealers protest slow progress of union talks
Dealers at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas have protested against the failure of casino owner Harrah's Entertainment and their union, the Transport Workers Union of America, to reach a contract agreement.
Although it is nearly two years since the dealers - along with workers at Wynn Las Vegas - voted to be represented by the union, no pact has been reached.
The dealers, numbering about 600, are reportedly seeking employment conditions similar to those they enjoyed before Harrah's acquired Caesars in 2005, including control over tips and a union role in personnel matters.
Along with supporters, the dealers - members of the Transport Workers Union Local 721 - marched from Flamingo Road to the front of Caesars while the union was holding its annual convention in the city.
Caesars Palace in Vegas employs around 4,000 staff, the majority of whom are believed to be represented by unions.
The contention at Caesars Palace, however, is nothing new for the US casino business.
Four unions - the AFL-CIO, the Service Employees International, the Transport Workers Union and the United Auto Workers - earlier this year formed a joint council to address the issue of casino labour organisation, focusing on long-unresolved negotiations in Atlantic City but also hoping to reach agreements with casino owners in Connecticut and Indiana as well as Las Vegas.
