|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
State
Rep. Don Walko |
|
Lawmakers call on Pittsburgh casino to sign ‘card-check’ neutrality agreement with union
HARRISBURG, Dec. 11 – Several state lawmakers from western Pennsylvania today called on the owner of the Majestic Star casino in Pittsburgh to sign a “card-check” neutrality agreement with the union that represents most U.S. gaming employees.
The legislators making the request are state Reps. Don Walko, Frank Dermody, Nick Kotik and Tom Petrone, D-Allegheny; Sean Ramaley, D-Beaver/Allegheny; and Vince Biancucci, D-Beaver. All voted for the 2004 law that legalized slots gaming in Pennsylvania, except for Ramaley, who began serving in the House of Representatives in 2005.
“I was a strong supporter of the law expanding gaming in Pennsylvania for two main reasons – property tax relief and creating good jobs,” Walko said. “A collective bargaining agreement with UNITE HERE for the workers in the Majestic Star casino would go a long way in helping slots supporters in the legislature achieve what we hoped to achieve in the Pittsburgh region with the passage of the gaming law – economic development, many new jobs in a new industry, and good wages and benefits for the workers in that new industry.”
Walko sent a letter to Majestic Star owner Don Barden in July, urging him to negotiate with UNITE HERE as soon as possible.
Ramaley said, “A neutrality agreement is crucial because it gives employees the opportunity to decide for themselves on organizing a union while the employer remains neutral. Even with the neutrality agreement we seek, the union would still have to collect signed authorization cards from a majority of employees. The neutrality agreement would simply guarantee a level playing field.”
Dermody said, “I believe the slots law gives us a new industry in our state and a great opportunity to enhance economic development in the Pittsburgh region. Slots licenses are very lucrative, and workers deserve to have a fair shot at collective bargaining so they can share in the profits they will be helping the casino to earn.”
“A lot of attention has been paid to the appearance of the casino and its parking garage. We think it’s even more important to make sure the people who will work there have their organizing and collective bargaining rights protected,” Petrone said.
“With western Pennsylvania having such a strong labor heritage, having a neutrality agreement is in the best interest of the casino for attracting customers – it would be a win-win for everyone,” Kotik said.
"All we are asking for is basic fairness for the employees,” Biancucci said.
###bt/2007/mjh l:\print\releases\casinoWkrs.020
|
MEDIA CONTACT: Ben Turner |
July 18, 2007
Mr. Don H. Barden, Chairman & CEO
Barden Companies, Inc.
163 Madison Avenue
Suite 2000
Detroit, MI 48226
Dear Mr. Barden:
I am sending this letter respectfully seeking your help and action on an issue that’s important to me, the economy of the Pittsburgh region, and to the future workers of your licensed slots casino. I am asking you to set up a meeting as soon as possible between you and your management team and representatives of UNITE HERE! to begin negotiations to recognize UNITE HERE! as the bargaining agent for the workers at your Pittsburgh slots casino.
I was a strong supporter for the law expanding gaming in Pennsylvania. I believe this law gives us a new industry in our state and a great opportunity to enhance economic development in the Pittsburgh region. Another reason I have been a strong supporter of expanding gaming in the state is it will provide the opportunity for thousands of new jobs throughout the state – good, living-wage, full-time, permanent jobs. Many of those jobs will be created in the Pittsburgh region including those at your facility on the North Side.
I have long believed that organized labor is uniquely positioned to help us realize the employment opportunities and good wages and benefits envisioned by the sponsors and supporters of Act 72. As you know, UNITE HERE! represents the vast majority of the casino/gaming employees throughout the country. Accordingly, I am respectfully asking you to initiate a meeting with UNITE HERE! staff as soon as possible and to begin discussions on a collective bargaining agreement for the employees of your Pittsburgh slots casino facility.
A collective bargaining agreement with UNITE HERE! for the workers in your Majestic Star casino would go a long way in helping those of us in the legislature achieve what we hoped to achieve in the Pittsburgh region with the passage of Act 72 – economic development, many new jobs in a new industry, and good wages and benefits for the workers in that new industry.
I appreciate your prompt consideration of my request on this important issue. Please feel free to call me if you have any questions or need any more information from me.
Very truly yours,
DON WALKO
State Representative