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Testimony of James C. Little
Regarding security threats still facing the industry...
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Please tip your dealer
Who cares if the house always wins. Don’t forget to tip your dealer!
Local 721 of the Gaming Division of the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) will launch a marketing campaign on Monday to encourage the public to tip casino dealers.
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Amtrak Members (JCC) to Receive First Retroactive Payment
TWU (JCC) members will receive the first installment of retroactive wage payments provided for in recently signed agreements on May 9, 2008. To assist members who may have questions concerning their retroactive wage payments click on the links below to view or download a Special Employee Advisory or FAQs posted by Amtrak.
Click Here For SPECIAL EMPLOYEE ADVISORY Click Here For FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
TWU LAUNCHES GAMING DIVISION
Building on Recent Victories at Caesar’s Palace and the Wynn Casino, Union to Focus More Resources on Organizing Dealers and other Workers in the Gaming Industry
Hollywood, Fla. -- The Executive Council of the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU), voted at its winter meeting to create a division of the union dedicated to organizing casino dealers and other workers employed in the gaming industry. “TWU’s phones are ringing off the hook from casino workers seeking representation,” said TWU International President James C. Little. “Our intention is to help these dealers by expanding our organizing efforts in Las Vegas, across Nevada and elsewhere. These workers need a voice on the job and our union can give it to them.”
The division will be based in Las Vegas and be headed by Joseph Carbon. Carbon had played a pivotal role for the union in organizing dealers at both the Wynn and Caesar’s Palace. Both elections held in 2007 were won with more than 70 percent of the vote of eligible voters despite aggressive efforts by employers to oppose the organizing effort.
“TWU is here to stay,” said Little. “We intend to be long-term players in the gaming industry. We will devote ourselves to increasing our presence on more casino properties. We intend to negotiate contracts for the workers we represent and serve as the voice for dealers and others who work on the casino floor.” Added Little, “TWU is perceived as a transportation union, but the fact is we have members employed in government service, utilities and various customer service jobs and we have been involved with gaming for years and gaming is where we will be for years and years to come.” Contact: Jamie Horwitz, 202/549-4921
jhdcpr@starpower.net |
Amtrak Pact Approved - JCC Members Ratify Amtrak Contract
Back Pay, Wage Hikes & No Work Rule Changes
The eight-year battle for contract justice for the shop craft workers at Amtrak is finally over. TWU and TCU members making up the Joint Council of Carmen have voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new multi-year contract.
The contract provides significant wage increases over the life of the agreement that track the National Freight Agreements, as well as full retroactivity. The agreement runs from January 1, 2000 – December 31, 2009.
TWU Railroad Division Director and International Vice President Gary Maslanka said the agreement achieved the union’s bargaining goals – real wage increases, retroactive pay and no work rule changes. He said that during the eight-year battle, Amtrak insisted it would not agree to a contract without a long list of work rule concessions that would have cost members’ jobs.
“The agreement represents a resounding rejection of Amtrak’s eight-year campaign to thrust our members into a lower class of railroad worker,” Maslanka said in a letter to members.
The JCC reached a negotiated settlement with Amtrak in January following a report by a Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) that was largely supportive of the workers’ case.
The PEB report was given to President George W. Bush on December 30, 2007. The lengthy report, which recommends adoption of most of labor’s proposals, was made public on January 3, 2008. Following a 30-day cooling-off period, workers would have been free to strike on January 30.
Key members of Congress urged the railroad to resume negotiations to prevent a walkout.
When considering retroactive pay, the PEB agreed with the unions’ position that Amtrak had in essence received an interest-free loan from its employees for the past eight years, so that only full retroactivity would be fair and equitable.
Urgent Message For Railroad Division Members
YOU MUST RESPOND PROMPTLY TO AETNA DEPENDENT ELIGIBILITY AUDIT
On or about January 29, 2008, Aetna will begin sending final notices to all employees covered under the Railroad Employees National Dental Plan who, as yet, have not provided the required proof to verify their dependents’ eligibility.
To date, Aetna has not received the required proof for thousands of dependents and spouses. If the required verification is not received, BEGINNING ON MARCH 4, 2008, UNITED HEATLHCARE, AETNA, HIGHMARK BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD AND VISION SERVICE PLAN WILL BEGIN CANCELING COVERAGE FOR ALL DEPENDENTS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN VERIFIED. The cancellation of coverage will apply to the medical, dental, and vision plans.
Members who have not provided the required verification and need assistance, or that may not have the Audit Package, should call this toll-free number.
TOLL-FREE CONTACT NUMBER (866) 682-5619
Also, to expedite the submission of verification materials Aetna has provided a fax number that may be used to fax verification materials. FAX NUMBER: (860) 754-0303 If you have not already done so, we urge you to respond promptly. |   |
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