Foxwoods Casino Workers Look Forward to Union Election

Tuesday, November 06, 2007, HARTFORD – The NLRB scheduled the union election for Foxwoods casino dealers for Saturday, November 24th. Foxwoods casino dealers reacted positively that their election will be held in accordance with federal labor laws.

“The casino dealers are so excited to move forward,” said Mary Johnson, a 14-year Table Games dealer at Foxwoods. “A super-majority of us signed cards, and now we’ll have the opportunity to cast our ballots to vote yes for our union.”

“ No matter what language we speak, we know how to say ‘union yes’,” said Sherry Lee, a table games dealer who has worked at Foxwoods for nine years.

“Foxwoods employs people from all over the globe. We come from many different cultures and speak many different languages. But when it comes to the union, we are standing together,” Lee continued.

“We work hard, and we ought to be able to support our families. We need a union contract to guarantee that we will be treated right.”

“Our casino is very successful, but our benefits have been cut and our wages have not kept pace with inflation” said Billy Shea, a dual-rate dealer who has worked at Foxwoods since the day it opened. “Our day has come. We’re winning our election, and we’re not stopping until we get a fair contract.”

“Foxwoods casino dealers have a home with the UAW,” said Bob Madore, director of UAW Region 9A. “They will be joining gaming employees across the country who are standing together for a voice on the job – from our members at Newport Grand in Rhode Island to Detroit and Atlantic City.”

In a separate ruling last week, the NLRB addressed labor law violations dating back to July. Foxwoods management was charged with unlawful conduct including intimidation, interrogation, surveillance, harassment, threats of reprisals, and unlawful discipline.

Jacqueline Little, a fifteen year employee and the first to speak publicly to the media about the union campaign, was among those illegally disciplined.

“We are glad to be vindicated by this ruling,” said Jacqueline Little, a poker dealer. “Management’s conduct just reinforces for us that only a union contract will change things at Foxwoods.”

The UAW Region 9A includes the northeast, eastern New York state, and Puerto Rico. Region 9A has a very diverse membership, including gaming employees, marine draftsmen, manufacturing workers, attorneys, workers at auto dealerships, child care teachers, academic workers and others.

www.uaw.org

Source: International Union, UAW

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