Two Years, Too Long for Vegas Dealers Contract

The graceful fountains and picturesque landscaping in front of Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada served as an ironic peaceful backdrop to a passionate and angry TWU protest two weeks ago.

On September 17, the last day of TWU’s 23rd Constitutional Convention, hundreds of delegates and their friends and families arrived by the busload in front of Caesar’s to “Support Their Dealers.”

Dealers at Caesars Palace voted in December of 2007 by a 3 to 1 margin to be represented by Local 721 of the Gaming Division of the Transport Workers Union, but have been unable to bring long negotiations to a conclusion with a contract. After engaging in anti-union election tactics in 2007, Harrah’s Entertainment, the parent company of Caesars Palace, has stalled contract negotiations for its 600 dealers for nearly two years.

“These dealers deserve dignity and respect, and a grievance process,” said TWU President James C. Little. “It is despicable the way they are refusing to give their dealers a contract.”

“Two years is too long,” said Joe Carbon, director of TWU’s Gaming Division, a phrase that became a favored chant by TWU members at the rally. Kanie Kastroll, a Wynn dealer and acting president of Local 721 added, “it shouldn’t take a federal law to get a fair contract.”

At the AFL-CIO Convention on Sept. 19, President Barack Obama declared that unions are part of the solution to rebuilding the middle class and pledged to sign the Employee Free Choice Act. The passage of the Act would mandate that employers and unions enter into binding arbitration if agreement could not be reached on a first contract in a timely manner.

TWU made it clear to Harrah’s management that “two years is too long,” and that it will continue to support its dealers until they receive the dignity and respect they deserve.

Check out the photos on our Flickr page.

Rule Bus Dispatchers Rate OT for Shuttle Work; Key Precedent

By ARI PAUL The Chief

New York City Transit must pay Bus Dispatchers overtime for working shuttlebus shifts instead of paying supervisors on straight-time, an arbitrator has ruled, setting a precedent that could resolve a long-standing dispute for Bus Operators.

Could Cost $1M a Year For weekend shuttle buses—which replace subway routes closed for maintenance—the two NYC Transit bus companies have traditionally used Bus Operators and Dispatchers volunteering for overtime to take the routes, but in a money-saving effort, NYC Transit has been transferring under-used workers to do the jobs at straight time. Arbitrator George Nicolau has ruled that NYC Transit must go back to the overtime policy, a move NYC Transit President Howard H. Roberts called “very unfavorable” and estimated could cost the agency $1 million per year, according to the Daily News.

Rule Bus Dispatchers Rate OT for Shuttle Work; Key Precedent

By ARI PAUL The Chief

New York City Transit must pay Bus Dispatchers overtime for working shuttlebus shifts instead of paying supervisors on straight-time, an arbitrator has ruled, setting a precedent that could resolve a long-standing dispute for Bus Operators.

Could Cost $1M a Year For weekend shuttle buses—which replace subway routes closed for maintenance—the two NYC Transit bus companies have traditionally used Bus Operators and Dispatchers volunteering for overtime to take the routes, but in a money-saving effort, NYC Transit has been transferring under-used workers to do the jobs at straight time. Arbitrator George Nicolau has ruled that NYC Transit must go back to the overtime policy, a move NYC Transit President Howard H. Roberts called “very unfavorable” and estimated could cost the agency $1 million per year, according to the Daily News.

4-year deal OK’d with Local 282

By: JOAN HELLYER, Bucks County Courier Times

The bargaining unit, part of the Transportation Workers Union, represents about 100 district employees.

The Bristol Township school board voted unanimously Monday night to ratify a four-year deal with district custodians, maintenance personnel and warehouse workers.

The contract includes salary increases of 1 percent the first year, 2.25 percent in the second year, 2.5 percent in 2011-2012 and 3 percent the final year of the deal, said Business Manager Gerald Barcik.

Also during the first year of the pact, full-time employees will get a $500 bonus and part-time employees will receive a $250 bonus, Barcik said.

The deal also calls for members of the Transportation Workers Union, Local 282, to increase their monthly contributions to their health care plans.

During the first year of the contract, full-time members of the TWU will pay $40 per month toward their health care premiums. That contribution goes up each year until it reaches $60 per month in
2012-2013, Barcik said.

In addition, the bargaining unit agreed to drop one of the health care options it had during previous agreements to help save the district some money, said Michael Walsh, president of Local 282.

The new pact is retroactive to July 1 when the district’s last contract with the TWU expired, Barcik said. It covers about 100 district employees.

Their salaries, as of July 1, range between $15.44 per hour and $24.37 per hour, depending on their position, Barcik said.

The board and union representatives reached the agreement in August, but did not ratify it until both sides had time to review the written contract.

TWU believes it’s a fair deal given the limitations the district faces in the current economic climate, Walsh said.

4-year deal OK’d with Local 282

By: JOAN HELLYER, Bucks County Courier Times

The bargaining unit, part of the Transportation Workers Union, represents about 100 district employees.

The Bristol Township school board voted unanimously Monday night to ratify a four-year deal with district custodians, maintenance personnel and warehouse workers.

The contract includes salary increases of 1 percent the first year, 2.25 percent in the second year, 2.5 percent in 2011-2012 and 3 percent the final year of the deal, said Business Manager Gerald Barcik.

Also during the first year of the pact, full-time employees will get a $500 bonus and part-time employees will receive a $250 bonus, Barcik said.

The deal also calls for members of the Transportation Workers Union, Local 282, to increase their monthly contributions to their health care plans.

During the first year of the contract, full-time members of the TWU will pay $40 per month toward their health care premiums. That contribution goes up each year until it reaches $60 per month in
2012-2013, Barcik said.

In addition, the bargaining unit agreed to drop one of the health care options it had during previous agreements to help save the district some money, said Michael Walsh, president of Local 282.

The new pact is retroactive to July 1 when the district’s last contract with the TWU expired, Barcik said. It covers about 100 district employees.

Their salaries, as of July 1, range between $15.44 per hour and $24.37 per hour, depending on their position, Barcik said.

The board and union representatives reached the agreement in August, but did not ratify it until both sides had time to review the written contract.

TWU believes it’s a fair deal given the limitations the district faces in the current economic climate, Walsh said.

Hundreds of TWU Members Support Their Dealers

Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada was seeing red today, literally, when hundreds of Transport Workers Union members rallied outside of the building wearing red “Support Your Dealer” tee-shirts and chanting, “No contract, no peace!”

“These dealers deserve dignity and respect, and a grievance process,” said TWU President James C. Little. “It is despicable the way they are refusing to give their dealers a contract.”

About 800 TWU members passionately marched up and down E. Flamingo and Las Vegas Blvds in front of Caesar’s Palace for more than an hour as Harrah’s executives looked on.

Dealers at Caesars Palace voted in December of 2007 by a 3 to 1 margin to be represented by Local 721 of the Gaming Division of the Transport Workers Union, but have been unable to bring long negotiations to a conclusion with a contract. After engaging in anti-union election tactics in 2007, Harrah’s Entertainment, the parent company of Caesars Palace, has stalled contract negotiations for its 600 dealers for nearly two years.

“Two years is too long,” said Joe Carbon, director of TWU’s Gaming Division, a phrase that became a favored chant by TWU members at the rally. Kanie Kastroll, a Wynn dealer and acting president of Local 721 added, “it shouldn’t take a federal law to get a fair contract.”

“Dealers are hard-working individuals who deserve a fair contract, as do all laborers in the United States,” said TWU Local 556 member Teri Queen.

Wynn and Caesar’s Palace dealers present at the rally expressed gratitude for the TWU’s efforts to win them fair wages and contracts. “We embrace all the members, officers and all the help that TWU has given to us,” said Josephine Tang, a Wynn casino dealer. “All the dealers in Las Vegas appreciate TWU’s help.”

“This is just another perfect example of how leaders of corporate America don’t believe their workers deserve the same kind of benefits that they receive themselves,” said Assistant Director of the Air Transport Division Bobby Gless.

On Tuesday, President Obama is expected to endorse the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) in a speech to the national AFL-CIO convention. EFCA would mandate that employers and unions enter into binding arbitration if agreement could not be reached on a first contract in a timely manner. Harrah’s would be outlawed. EFCA is expected to go to Congress as soon as a replacement is named for the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy.

Check out the photos on our Flickr page.

TWU Top Officers Elected With Overwhelming Support

With overwhelming support, James C. Little was elected International President of the Transport Workers Union of America this morning. Also with immense support, Harry Lombardo was elected Executive Vice President, Joseph C. Gordon was elected Secretary-Treasurer, and Hubert Snead and Susan Resch were elected Administrative Vice Presidents.

“I take my responsibilities very seriously. I want our union to be transparent in what it does, fully accountable, efficient and creative in its application of services on behalf of members,” said Little in his acceptance speech.  “I want to feel that any member could sit next to any staff person or officer on any day and swell with pride and be filled with confidence at what they witness.”

Little has served as President of the TWU for the last three years and has helped move the Union forward during our country’s recent uncertain times.  In that time, Little and his top officers have strengthened TWU’s presence in Washington and become a louder voice in the Labor Movement on issues such as the Employee Free Choice Act and other issues important to working Americans.

Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Gordon motivated the crowd with his acceptance speech. “My commitment to you is that we are going to have a great four years and we are going to kick some ass!”

Over the last few years, the newly elected officers expanded the TWU’s established three divisions, Air, Transit and Railroad, to include the Gaming Division.  President Little also implemented a three-year Strategic Planning program that has helped TWU better serve members and locals across the country.  With great success, the program has brought Presidents from all Divisions together to analyze the Union and develop plans to improve and grow.

Little has been a member of the TWU for more than thirty years, and has held numerous positions within the Air Transport Division and then the International.  He became President in 2006 when he replaced then International President Mike O’Brien, who retired for health reasons.

“Standing on a strong legacy that Michael Quill created of honor and determination we have an important future to build for our members, for the union of the whole and for the labor movement,” said Little in his acceptance speech. “I thank you all, I thank God and God bless you all and TWU.”

Below are the results of today’s International Vice President, International Executive Council and International Executive Board elections.

Executive Council Vice Presidents
John Bland
Jeff Brooks
Gary Drummond
J.W. Johnson
Thom McDaniel
Gary Maslanka
Barry Roberts
John Conley
Steve Luis
Roger Toussaint
James Whalen
Curtis Tate
Marsha Spinowitz

Executive Council
Richie Boehm
Richie Adams
Pat Bowden
Brian Clarke
Carl Martin
Chuck Cerf
Gary Shults
Willie Brown
Ed Watt

Executive Board
Darrin Pierce
Ben Morgan
Steve Gilboy
Gordon Clark
Bob Zimmerman
Dan Rivera
Tom Lee
Kevin Smith
Portia White
Dave Virella
Donny Tyndall
John Plowman
Don Wright
Charles Little
John Feltz
Don May
Enzo Sinowna
Alice Goodman
Andreeva Pinder
Tom Lenane
Nelson Rivera
David Gollinger
Eddie McLeod
Irwin Lum
Carlos Padilla
Orton Reynolds
Robert Romaine
Jerome Lafragola
Sean Doyle
Fred Fink
Jimmy Guido

Hundreds of TWU Members Support Their Dealers

Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada was seeing red today, literally, when hundreds of Transport Workers Union members rallied outside of the building wearing red “Support Your Dealer” tee-shirts and chanting, “No contract, no peace!”

“These dealers deserve dignity and respect, and a grievance process,” said TWU President James C. Little. “It is despicable the way they are refusing to give their dealers a contract.”

About 800 TWU members passionately marched up and down E. Flamingo and Las Vegas Blvds in front of Caesar’s Palace for more than an hour as Harrah’s executives looked on.

Dealers at Caesars Palace voted in December of 2007 by a 3 to 1 margin to be represented by Local 721 of the Gaming Division of the Transport Workers Union, but have been unable to bring long negotiations to a conclusion with a contract. After engaging in anti-union election tactics in 2007, Harrah’s Entertainment, the parent company of Caesars Palace, has stalled contract negotiations for its 600 dealers for nearly two years.

“Two years is too long,” said Joe Carbon, director of TWU’s Gaming Division, a phrase that became a favored chant by TWU members at the rally. Kanie Kastroll, a Wynn dealer and acting president of Local 721 added, “it shouldn’t take a federal law to get a fair contract.”

“Dealers are hard-working individuals who deserve a fair contract, as do all laborers in the United States,” said TWU Local 556 member Teri Queen.

Wynn and Caesar’s Palace dealers present at the rally expressed gratitude for the TWU’s efforts to win them fair wages and contracts. “We embrace all the members, officers and all the help that TWU has given to us,” said Josephine Tang, a Wynn casino dealer. “All the dealers in Las Vegas appreciate TWU’s help.”

“This is just another perfect example of how leaders of corporate America don’t believe their workers deserve the same kind of benefits that they receive themselves,” said Assistant Director of the Air Transport Division Bobby Gless.

On Tuesday, President Obama is expected to endorse the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) in a speech to the national AFL-CIO convention. EFCA would mandate that employers and unions enter into binding arbitration if agreement could not be reached on a first contract in a timely manner. Harrah’s would be outlawed. EFCA is expected to go to Congress as soon as a replacement is named for the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy.

TWU Organizes Hundreds to Protest Tactics by Caesars Palace

A large gathering of casino dealers, TWU members and other supporters of the right of gaming workers to form unions will protest in front of Caesars Palace tomorrow at 4 p.m. PST and 7 p.m. EST.

Dealers at Caesars Palace voted in December of 2007 by a 3 to 1 margin to be represented by Local 721 of the Gaming Division of the Transport Workers Union, but have been unable to bring long negotiations to a conclusion with a contract. Harrah’s Entertainment, the parent company of Caesars Palace, after engaging in anti-union election tactics in 2007, has stalled contract negotiations for its 600 dealers for nearly two years.

“Two years is too long,” said Joe Carbon, director of TWU’s Gaming Division. Kanie Kastroll, a Wynn dealer and acting president of Local 721 added, “it shouldn’t take a federal law to get a fair contract.”

On Tuesday, President Obama is expected to endorse the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) in a speech to the national AFL-CIO convention. EFCA would mandate that employers and unions enter into binding arbitration if agreement could not be reached on a first contract in a timely manner. Harrah’s would be outlawed. EFCA is expected to go to Congress as soon as a replacement is named for the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy.

Check twu.org for footage of the protest on Friday, September 18. Also check out the photos on flickr.

TWU Organizes Hundreds to Protest Tactics by Caesars Palace

A large gathering of casino dealers, TWU members and other supporters of the right of gaming workers to form unions will protest in front of Caesars Palace tomorrow at 4 p.m. PST and 7 p.m. EST.

Dealers at Caesars Palace voted in December of 2007 by a 3 to 1 margin to be represented by Local 721 of the Gaming Division of the Transport Workers Union, but have been unable to bring long negotiations to a conclusion with a contract. Harrah’s Entertainment, the parent company of Caesars Palace, after engaging in anti-union election tactics in 2007, has stalled contract negotiations for its 600 dealers for nearly two years.

“Two years is too long,” said Joe Carbon, director of TWU’s Gaming Division. Kanie Kastroll, a Wynn dealer and acting president of Local 721 added, “it shouldn’t take a federal law to get a fair contract.”

On Tuesday, President Obama is expected to endorse the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) in a speech to the national AFL-CIO convention. EFCA would mandate that employers and unions enter into binding arbitration if agreement could not be reached on a first contract in a timely manner. Harrah’s would be outlawed. EFCA is expected to go to Congress as soon as a replacement is named for the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy.

Check twu.org for footage of the protest on Friday, September 18.

Saddened by Kennedy’s Death, Determined to Continue His Vision

The Transport Workers Union is deeply saddened by the passage of longtime labor ally Sen. Edward M. Kennedy.  Sen. Kennedy championed the tireless march towards justice, equality, fairness, opportunity and progress for this country and has fought on behalf of the unheard, disenfranchised and excluded for decades. He died at age 77 on Aug. 25. 
“Senator Kennedy is a man to be praised and a man to be celebrated,” said TWU International President James C. Little. “The man who President Obama called ‘the greatest Senator of our time,’ really was a champion for working people and a stalwart soldier for labor. He always fought passionately for and was genuinely on the side of the people.” 
President Little, along with several unionists, said workers can best memorialize Kennedy by enacting his last two great causes: Universal affordable health care and the Employee Free Choice Act. Kennedy was an instrumental force in crafting the Employee Free Choice Act and the first to introduce it, and he has referred to health care reform as “the cause of my life.”  His passion and dedication to these two causes did not fade, even as he battled cancer. 

The Massachusetts Democrat, chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and first elected in 1962, was a constant champion of workers’ causes.  They ranged from raising the minimum wage to immigration reform to workers’ rights to job safety and health to equal rights for women and minorities on the job, and much more. 
Health care took most of his remaining legislative time in the last year-plus, when he was battling brain cancer, said his closest Senate friend, Christopher Dodd.

“I’ve lost a great, great pal, and the country lost an incredible advocate.  The people who didn’t have a lawyer to stand up for them, and didn’t have a lobbyist, had Ted Kennedy,” Dodd, a Connecticut Democrat, said.

And Kennedy was renowned as someone who knew the legislative levers so well and was so effective at reaching across party lines and building coalitions that he could accomplish things for workers even in the face of strong GOP opposition.  Dodd, who worked with him for 30 years, said Kennedy knew when to push, what to do, and how to stick with goals – even in all-night bargaining at the committee.

Even two weeks ago, as Kennedy was battling the cancer that finally killed him, “he knew what was going on, down to the finest details” on health care, Dodd said.  And Kennedy, in an early-morning phone call to Dodd, “whooped and cheered” when the committee became the first to approve comprehensive health care reform.
NLRB Chairman Wilma Liebman said the National Labor Relations Board has “certainly lost a great friend and a skillful advocate.”  “Sen. Kennedy was a giant.  His passing is a huge loss to the Nation.  He was a powerful champion for working people and the laws that protect them […] His absence in the debates on health care reform and labor law reform will be deeply felt […} His commitment to public service, and the passion with which he pursued it, have been an inspiration to me and so many others,” said Liebman.

As Senator Kennedy said so eloquently himself at the Democratic National Convention in 1980, “For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.”
“In his honor, let us redouble our efforts to enact his last two causes:  health care reform and the Employee Free Choice Act,” said President Little.  “Let us follow in his footsteps and show him we are inspired by all he has done for working people and that we will continue to take America in the positive direction in which he has always been steering us.”

Union Solidarity on Health Care This Labor Day

Labor Day is a more than 100-year-old holiday that recognizes American workers’ decades of fighting to win livable wages and decent working hours and conditions. Organized events like Labor Day parades helped to publicize their causes and, ultimately, to transform the lives of hard-working people. Today, workers are continuing to use the power of organizing and the recognition of Labor Day to improve the quality of life for all Americans.

While most of the country lounges at backyard barbeques this Labor Day holiday, unionists will be taking advantage of the day-off to emphasize the Labor Movement’s message on health care reform.

President Obama is scheduled to speak at the AFL-CIO’s annual Labor Day picnic in Cincinnati that more than 30,000 union members are expected to attend. Many have spent the weekend preparing health care reform signs that stress the Labor Movement’s support of a public option.

The Transport Workers Union’s International Executive Council and International Executive Board will be meeting all week to discuss and adopt important health care resolutions, among others, to be evaluated by delegates at the union’s Convention on Sept.14-18. “Health care is one of the most important issues we will be addressing at this year’s meetings and Convention,” said International President James C. Little. “I’m happy to spend Labor Day working towards enacting a bill that will help all American people – union or non-union.”

The Greater Boston Labor Council will use its annual labor breakfast to honor the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy, but also to voice support for his lifelong cause: universal health coverage. The Council anticipates thousands of demonstrators to participate.

The Service Employees International Union is sponsoring “Let’s Get It Done” Labor Day health care demonstrations in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and several other cities. It is also encouraging its members to flood Capitol Hill with thousands of phone calls on Wednesday, the day of the President Obama’s much-anticipated national address on health care.

The AFL-CIO Union Label and Service Trades Department (UL&STD) is using Labor Day to kick-off another important campaign, separate from health care reform: “Buy Union” week. The campaign will run from Sept. 7 through Sept. 12, and will encourage Americans to seek out and support union goods and services. “When you buy union, you not only get the highest quality goods and services,” said UL&STD President Richard Kline, “but you also help maintain good union wages and benefits that sustain the quality of life in U.S. communities.”

Every union member and every American deserves a good quality of life that includes decent wages, benefits and health care. Labor Day is a fitting one to unite and fight for health care reform that will better the lives of all Americans.