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To save you some hassle:

Some of the most pertinent Feedback and responses are posted here.

#46  From "Rumplestiltskin" a Caesars Palace Dealer:

Hello Lake Tahoe Dealers!

We were successful in our Union Drive at Caesars Palace on the 22nd! What a feeling! It is like a ton of bricks lifted from our shoulders! We now know we will have the opportunity to NEGOTIATE and no longer have to accept the scraps management wants to throw our way! "STATUS QUO"!!

Many have tried to say we are being "greedy", but that just isn't the case. It is about security. It is about knowing that as long as we do our job that we will have a job to return to tomorrow. With that, we can now feel secure about getting a mortgage, sending the kids to college, buying a car, etc...

What we have done is secured our future! We no longer are under the threat of having our tokes confiscated for redistribution! And YES, Harrah's DID already take our tokes once when they took over our toke by-laws and put an end to our hospital and death benefit tokes, which MANY paid into those funds for decades and never received the benefit from them. Those funds are like insurance premiums, something you pay for but hope you never have to collect from.

I hope that every Dealer in this State, and Country, sees the importance of securing their own future. Yes, it is "personal", but only as far as "personal security". The Dealers at Caesars Palace DO get along with their supervisors for the most part, as we are a team. However, our supervisors do NOT have control over policy. That is a corporate thing. And yes, we did have a problem with many "corporate" decisions and the total control corporate had over our lives. Well, that is now in the past. From here on out we will control our own destiny. No longer can unilateral changes be made without OUR APPROVAL!

We have secured our futures, and now is the time that the rest of the Dealers in this Country does the same. Do not be fooled into the "wait and see" approach that management will want you to take. That my friends is a dead-end street. The ONLY thing that will accomplish is that corporate will still be in 100% control of YOUR lives, and if the Supreme Court rules in favor of Steve-O, you will have "waited and seen" them take your tokes away. Once that happens to you, it will be nearly impossible for you to ever regain control of your tokes. Take the "pre-emptive" strike approach, and save your futures.

Get your cards in NOW! By the way, I loved the post where the reader sent their card in on the 22nd!

In Solidarity,
"Rumplestiltskin"

Please reread this feedback.  This is where we all need to be.

For those unfamiliar, Rumplestiltskin is a Webmaster for the Caesars Palace Dealers website.  With thanks to "Rumplestiltskin," 379 other Caesars Palace Dealers who voted "YES," and 444 Wynn Dealers who voted "YES," TWU now represents Dealers of the two premier casinos in the world!

That puts an end to any claim that "TWU is not right for us."

#32 

In regards to the punching in and out, do we really want to pursue this? Think about it, everytime we have an EO they could force us to wait until the hour to punch out or only pay us for actual time worked. Just a thought.

You hit a nail on the head, but it is not the nail you were aiming to hit.  This Union drive involves rejecting the idea that "they could force us to..." 

They have forced numerous undesirable policies upon us, and we have had no say over them.  With our Union, they could not force us into policy changes without our consent.  Right now, they could force what you say on us.  They could force us to work hour-forties.  They could force us into a tip pooling scheme like what Dealers were forced into at The Wynn.  They could force on us a lower 401k contribution (like 0%).  They could force us out of our vacations.  For those of us who have it, they could force us to give up our medical insurance.  They could force you out of your job.   Without a Contract, you will be powerless to stop it.

Look at the trend of Harrah's policy.  It is not in our favor. 

In regard to Harrah's policy, you know that they can change it at any time.  With a Contract, Harrah's would need our permission to change anything involved.

Just a fact.

#56  Dealer Feedback:  There are a few negative feedbacks that have been waiting to be addressed.  This is the most polite and rational of the bunch and will be addressed first.

I don't know what people think is going to get better about Lake Tahoe. This is a small market compared to Vegas. I think that we are the best compensated casino dealers in northern Nevada. Our benefits are very good, our 401k plan is very good, our pay is very good, and if we sign away, companies do everything to fight unions. Nothing is guaranteed to get better. Our job is pretty cush right now and I would really not want to take that chance of screwing it up and paying outside people who just are trying to make themselves money.

Each sentence is addressed individually.

I don't know what people think is going to get better about Lake Tahoe.
Not very much can get better about Lake Tahoe itself.  Our jobs here at Lake Tahoe are a much different story.  Harrah’s is taking advantage of our desire to live here.

This is a small market compared to Vegas.
Yes, this is a small market compared to Vegas, but our department is not.  We have just under 500 dealers in our Table Games Department.  We have around 80% - 85% of the dealing staff that Caesars Palace has.  We know that Harrah’s watches this site and could provide us exact statistics, but they choose not to. 

It is also one of our issues that this is a small market, and resident Dealers do not have a variety of choices in employers that Dealers of Las Vegas have.  As a matter of fact, with buyouts within our small market, we now have HALF of the number of choices that we had ten years ago!

I think that we are the best compensated casino dealers in northern Nevada.
Best compensated?  In what way?  Maybe we’re the best tipped, but outside that, we’re not exactly the best compensated.  We have a higher cost of living than the rest of the region.  Also, do you realize that our tips are in jeopardy of being taken so that Harrah’s can save money on payroll?  We still do not have a guarantee that Harrah’s will not do what Steve Wynn did with Dealer tips.  Looking East and South, Union drives for Harrah’s properties started over one year ago and six months ago, respectively.  Harrah’s has done NOTHING in this time to legally insure the security of our tokes.

Our benefits are very good, our 401k plan is very good, our pay is very good, and if we sign away, companies do everything to fight unions.
The simple fact that Harrah's is fighting this should tell you something. 

Our benefits were very good ten years ago.  Harrah’s now refuses to provide nearly half of the Dealers with medical insurance.  For our part-timers, their medical insurance is virtually nonexistent.  Our 401k plan is now half of what is was, and our pay raises were eliminated until shortly after this website was uploaded.

Please understand this: we do not “sign away” anything.  The ONLY thing that you are signing your name to is that you would like to have a vote on TWU representation.  Management lied to us.  After the contract is negotiated, we get an “up or down” vote on it! Rest assured, not even those running this site will vote for a bad contract.

Again, the only reason why our pay is very good is because our tips are very good, and Harrah’s has refused to provide a legally binding guarantee that our tips are safe.  The Caesars Palace Dealers website went online LAST AUGUST, and NONE of the dealers at ANY Harrah’s properties have any guarantees that their tips will not be seized EXCEPT FOR THE DEALERS WHO HAVE THEIR UNION!

As for the “fight unions” part, it is true that Harrah’s does and will continue to spend a great deal of the resources that we earned for it to fight our desire for a Contract.  That is their choice, they do not want for us to have guarantees, and their Union-busting efforts are one of the reasons you see the words “stay strong.”

Ask yourself…If this is such a bad thing for us, why would Harrah’s spend so much money to fight it?  Why would our Executives take all of that time out of their busy schedules to tell us so many lies?

Nothing is guaranteed to get better.
Absolutely correct. 

However, there is one MAJOR first thing that our Union instantly does: it protects us from things getting worse.  There is also a legal guarantee of “Status Quo” once we petition for a vote.  Harrah’s can change none of its policies as they affect us, and if we don’t like our Contract, we don’t ratify it.

Our job is pretty cush right now and I would really not want to take that chance of screwing it up and paying outside people who just are trying to make themselves money.
- Pretty cush?  Are hour-twenties pretty cush?  Next time you’re on a normal hour crew, please insist that the pencil puts you on an hour-twenty crew because your job is so “cush” that way.  Besides, there are plenty of others who would like your spot on a normal hour crew.

- Screwing up what? You, too, will have a say in what goes into the Contract.  How, exactly, do you think that we will screw this up? We have no current legal say in anything. With our Union, we ratify our Contract and reject it if we don't like it. 

- "Just trying to make themselves money?"  TWU is a nonprofit organization.  Your dues are tax-deductible!  Harrah’s has shareholders, a CEO who stands to get $94,000,000, and is (was) traded on Wall Street.  Which one just wants to make money?
 

#34  Feedback from a Dealer

A few Q's please before sending in my TWU card.

#1) If we vote "Union YES", would ANY of the accumulated savings in our 401-k accounts, now or EVER, for any reason, have to be forfeited and/or obligated to the TWU in any way whatsoever?

#2) Even after exploring laketahoedealers.com, I am STILL not clear on what my Union dues would be. I should have the right to know this BEFORE voting "Union YES". Specifically my base rate is $[*.**]/hr & my tokes avg. 'bout $[**]/hr. This is accurate & specific & I am expecting the same back from you re: WHAT my dues will be.

#3) In the meeting I attended, management seemed to indicate that once a contract was negotiated that our schedule maker would not be able to grant us extra and/or different days off for special events, Dr. appts., etc. IS THIS TRUE?

#1.  Please pardon the bluntness, but absolutely not.  What is in your retirement account is yours.  You may be used to experiencing the ways that Harrah's gets every penny that it can, but TWU will not squeeze you like that.  The purpose of the Union is to help secure our future, not to cut into it.  TWU does not involve itself in managing your 401k, but as far as trying to get us back more of that 6% that we used to get, that is something that we will put "on the table!"  Management pounded it into us during the meetings..."Everything is on the table!"  Is that really such a bad thing?

#2.  Maximum dues are $50 per month.  This is as accurate and specific as we can be for now.  There will be more information later.  To quote from the response to feedback #18:

#3.  Those meetings were loaded with misinformation and half-truths.  The short answer to this question is that, with a good Contract, the flexibility in scheduling will remain unchanged.  We have every intent that all of the efforts that go into this Union will result in a Contract worth ratifying.  By Federal Law, nobody can make guarantees about what will be in the Contract.

Please keep in mind that what management "seemed to indicate" is only what they want you to believe, and not the full picture. 

-----------------

The longer answer to your question centers around what Management wants you to believe. 

We were told that an Authorization Card gives TWU Power of Attorney.  THAT IS A LIE!

Management wants you to believe that we are stuck with what is negotiated, but they left out the fact that we ratify our Contract after negotiations.

Management wants you to believe that we will be buying a zero-sum "horse trade."  If that were really so, do you think that Mr. President and two Vice Presidents would have taken all of that time out of their schedules to force us into their meetings?  If we had nothing to gain from this, like they want you to believe, why would they even care about our Union?  If we have nothing to gain, why would they create all of that friction at our workplace?  Why would they go even further by subjecting our Supervisors to their own mandatory meetings?

Management wants you to believe that your work life as Union members will be rigid and inflexible, when in fact, we will have a genuine say over issues that affect us.  What they do not like is the decreased flexibility that they will encounter when they try to make policy changes without our consent.  Yes, if they want to make changes for the better (don't hold your breath), our Union can be quite flexible about that.

Management wants you to believe that nothing will get worse under the new owners.

Management wants you to believe that they will not implement a tip policy similar to The Wynn.

Management wants you to believe that TWU is run out of the back room of a run-down dive bar in New York City. 

Above all, Management's actions show that they do not want us to have our Union and protection under the NLRA.

Management does not want for you to have representation.

#37  Dealer Feedback/follow-up

To Webmasters at laketahoedealers.com-

Thanks so much for your very complete answers to feedback #34. With that, my TWU card is ready to go. And, I'll mail it specifically on Saturday the 22nd in a symbolic show of support to our brothers & sisters down south.

You guys are doing an excellent job, my compliments. This is such an important and worthy cause. You may not see us but we're here- and we're sure as hell glad you're THERE. Union minded or not, all should know that this effort is for a stronger, more secure future for all concerned.

Thank You.  Please keep (quietly) spreading the word.

#54  Feedback from a Dealer

I would like to commend the handlers of this site for some noticeable recent improvements. First, the home page is (finally) well-organized and concise, and as such, it now serves as an easy-to-follow intro to the cause and a guide to the site. Second, it is straightforward and professional in tone, now devoid of rhetoric that can be a real turn-off. I would suggest that previous use of gamesmanship, sarcastic nicknames and personal characterizations, and repeated denials about things being personal - along with a lack of proofreading - have only served to illuminate and simultaneously turn off. You have been undermining your own effort here, and my interest has been held only by the equally dubious platform on which Management stands.

Now that you have shown a positive change in approach, let's remind everyone of a simple life lesson that our parents taught us: "Actions speak louder than words." And there are really only two actions that merit consideration here. One is your INITIATIVE to seek a union solution and launch this site, and while some or many such as I may quibble as to how you have gone about this so far, we should all be grateful for the fact that someone among us has gotten off their lazy butt(s) and dared to shock us into a higher level of awareness.  Second, and fellow dealers, REALLY think about this: the GM, who previously - and understandably - devoted zero time to meeting and mixing with us, suddenly carved 20+ hours out of his schedule (or was it more?) to talk to us. Come on people, THINK! What was that sudden departure from norm all about??? Forget everything else that's been said - and how it's been said - by either side. That singular action speaks volumes, and that reason alone is the best one I can think of for seeking third-party representation.

Assuming that it is okay to re-quote your last point...

Second, and fellow dealers, REALLY think about this: the GM, who previously - and understandably - devoted zero time to meeting and mixing with us, suddenly carved 20+ hours out of his schedule (or was it more?) to talk to us. Come on people, THINK! What was that sudden departure from norm all about??? Forget everything else that's been said - and how it's been said - by either side. That singular action speaks volumes, and that reason alone is the best one I can think of for seeking third-party representation.

This may get a bit redundant, but seriously...

REALLY think about this: the GM, who previously - and understandably - devoted zero time to meeting and mixing with us, suddenly carved 20+ hours out of his schedule (or was it more?) to talk to us. Come on people, THINK! What was that sudden departure from norm all about??? Forget everything else that's been said - and how it's been said - by either side. That singular action speaks volumes, and that reason alone is the best one I can think of for seeking third-party representation.

It went beyond just the GM.  There were also two Vice Presidents who set aside all of that time, simultaneously, in their schedules.  It was only ONE WEEK between the time that this website went public and the meetings.  As you said, Come on people,

THINK!

If they believe that our Union is going to result in no net gain for Dealers, why would so many executives spend all that time on us? 

The goal here is not to win a political debate; it is to bring democracy and more rights into our workplace.  This is overdue.

Although the site is still peppered with a bit of sarcasm, rational, informed feedback is taken seriously.  What else do you feel is lacking?  Are the links informative? 

This is an open request for our readers: if there are any corrections needed, please point them out, and necessary adjustments will be made.  Recent changes came as a result of input from other people.  You are dealing with internet amateurs who are dedicated to a cause, and we are paid accordingly ($0.00).  Please do not let any appearance of unprofessionalism turn you off; we are Dealers who are on your side.  You will see what a professional website looks like when Harrah's Union busters unveil their site. 

By the way, How loudly do your actions speak?

Sorry, couldn't resist. 

'Hope you enjoyed the snow, or at least dug out and stayed safe.

#61  An older response from...uh...hopefully, this person has gotten more information and calmed down a bit.

I have worked with Unions before. I believe one of the best things about them is that the lazy, trouble making union employees are the ones that will be the union stewards and represent all the other hard working union workers. These stewards will get the best shifts and make the most money. Another thing I like about the Unions is when you do go on strike, you don't get paid. But guess what...They will have the salaried people learn how to deal. I can't wait to learn how to deal. ha ha ha ha. As they said, you do have have to ratify the contract, but also remember the company has to agree to everything in the contract. If there is something the company doesn't like, don't worry just go on strike and have the salaried folks deal, not a problem at least you will get some time off. Good Luck to all of you. I worked for a UAW and lost my home and car back in the 80's when I went out on strike. Nice thing is we didn't even get what we wanted. I am sure they won't put this up on the website. Again, good luck because you will need it.

Again, it is LakeTahoeDealers.com that will set the record straight.  Like other misinformed feedback, each topic is addressed individually.

I believe one of the best things about them is that the lazy, trouble making union employees are the ones that will be the union stewards and represent all the other hard working union workers. These stewards will get the best shifts and make the most money. 
Shop Stewards are anything but lazy.  They are not paid for their efforts, so how will they make more money?  Shop Stewards are on every shift, because their help may be needed at any time.  The ones who are Shop Stewards are the ones who WE vote in as shop stewards. If you thought that your Shop Stewards were so lazy, then why did you vote for them? A Union is a democracy and is as strong as its members.

They will have the salaried people learn how to deal.
Again, you are misinformed here. Salaried Supervisors already know how to deal and are among the most outstanding dealers that Harrah's and Harveys have ever had. They chose to move up for their own personal and/or professional reasons. As a matter of fact, Supervisors are the ones who teach us how to deal our games. Contact any person who you may happen to know who is a Dealer here, and they will confirm this.

As they said, you do have have to ratify the contract, but also remember the company has to agree to everything in the contract.
The process works like this:  FIRST, they agree to the Contract, THEN we ratify it.  The Contract is all there and agreed between the Union (WE are the Union) and Management by the time it reaches us for ratification.

Another thing I like about the Unions is when you do go on strike, you don't get paid.  
Nobody said anything about a strike except for anti-Union people like Management. Remember, they must, by law, bargain in good faith with a Union. Like Management, you neglected to mention that our Union locks in “Status Quo,” and that Harrah’s will no longer be able to change policy that directly impacts us without our permission.

Contract or not, Harrah’s will not be able to seize our tips if we are a Union.

Also, you must have been in a different UAW than the one that has a $900,000,000 strike fund. You counted the zeros right; that’s 90% of a billion dollars to help those on the picket lines pay bills.

I worked for a UAW and lost my home and car back in the 80's when I went out on strike.
Sincerely, we're very sorry to hear about your losses.  Please understand that it was not the Union that caused this.  It was your employer.  As it stands right now, our employer may soon be able to take 20% or more of our income and pay other non-tipped employees with it.  If the Nevada Supreme Court decides against Dealers, it will be our employer's right to take our tips if we do not stand up for our own rights.

As for the automobile industry, it can hardly be compared to our situation. If you had read through this site before you presented your feedback, you would have seen it addressed here (scroll down to bold print). Harrah's cannot feasibly move its casinos across borders like the Big 3 automakers have done with their manufacturing plants.

During the time that you “worked for a UAW,” during which period did your employer experience a 500% increase in stock price while you simultaneously took concessions in your Contracts?  That is what has happened here, and without a Union, there was nothing that we could do to stop it. 

While our employer was earning record profits, we were losing medical insurance, our 401k, and we have to work longer than nearly every Dealer in the rest of the state!

Hopefully, this helped you to learn more about what is going on here.

 

#58  Feedback from a Supervisor 

I disagree with your proposition!
The dealers here seem very happy and are well compensated (better than me!), but I am satisfied and happy with living in such a beautiful place as Tahoe.
Why do you wish to possibly destroy such a beautiful relationship that I have with all of my co-workers?
They are happy. I am happy. We all live in Tahoe and we love it! I respect them and they respect me as well! I don't need a union representative to interfere with that relationship.
Get out of Tahoe!! Everything is fine here and we don't need you! ( If I were living in New York and saw what life was like in Tahoe, I would want to live here too!!)

[potentially threatening statement removed]

Everything is fine without you, It's TAHOE!

Why not just keep it at “disagree” without moving on to the veiled threats?  Nobody is going anywhere, and not everything is fine here.

This is the sort of thing that happens to an otherwise intelligent, rational person when a Union buster gets to them.  This is a financial decision that we are trying to make together, but our employer would rather discuss anything except its employees’ financial security.

You see it here again, the bit about “happy with living in such a beautiful place as Tahoe,” and so is everybody here who doesn't mind shoveling a little snow.  Unions have nothing to do with the scenery of where one lives.  They concern themselves with employees’ work situations.  As a matter of fact, this person used the word “Tahoe” five times, but this “Supervisor” did not once write either the word "Harrah's" or "Harveys."  That is exactly what Harrah’s wants.  Discuss people and places and happiness, but do not discuss working harder and receiving less return for your efforts.

“Beautiful relationship?”  We haven't even gotten any flowers or chocolates!  If you’re the supervisor that you claim to be, you are left out of the decision-making process, and Dealers’ Union representation will have no bearing whatsoever on your life.  When you grow tired of your meetings with the Union busters from another time zone, understand that you can have your own representation, too.

If you’re not happy with your compensation, there happen to be organizations that you may contact that can help you with your issues.  For example, one such non-profit organization writes, as a part of its Constitution, "The objects of this organization shall be...To establish through collective bargaining adequate wage standards and retirement benefits, shorter hours of work and improvements in the conditions of employment for the workers in the industry." (emphasis ours)

If you are very happy, that's an equally good reason to seek representation. "Status Quo" gets locked in once there is a petition for a vote, and Harrah's cannot change any policies as they relate to your work situation.

Please notice that the emotions, hostility, and threats are coming from the anti-Union people, not TWU or those wanting better security with their work situation.

Maybe this “Supervisor” just wants a cut of the Dealer tokes.  Keep in mind that the money that Steve Wynn actually saved was not on the Dealers, but on short-changing Supervisor wages/salaries and filling in the gap with dealer tips.  If you, as a Supervisor, just want Dealer tips, you’re definitely under the wrong impression of what Mr. Wynn did.

#63  Las Vegas Dealer Response

In response to #58 (Feedback from a supervisor)
I'm a dealer at the Mirage in Las Vegas.

If the dealers in Tahoe are very happy, then what's the problem with securing what they have by joining the Union??
If you have such a beautiful relationship with your co-workers....what are you afraid of??
And what on earth does living in Tahoe have to do with being a Union member??

Geez...why don't you have a drink or something.

Please understand, this behavior is not the Supervisor's fault.  Many Supervisors do not know how they're being used.  If you've clicked on some of the union-busters buttons on the front page or in "Link of the Week,"  you understand that busters coerce our friends to become somebody unfamiliar. 

Union busters are quite a special bunch, aren't they?  They are paid excessively.  They invade our community, make Managers emotional to the point of crying, subject workers to ridiculous meetings filled with disinformation, turn coworkers against one another, then they try to get everybody to blame the chaos on the Union and employees' desire for some basic rights. 

#65  Dealer Feedback with a Challenge

Over this past weekend I was "afforded the opportunity" to attend one of the meetings in which our managers discussed the new matrix system & the ah, err, "CONSEQUENCES" (their words not mine) of returning to our former routine of working hour on, 20 off. Personally, I found the meeting to be high pressure & heavy handed. But I digress.

The main point I'd like to make here is this. In my meeting it was pointed out that returning to "hours" would produce an approximate loss of $2,000/yr. to each full time dealer and that the Hr. 20 would be maintained as it is simply in our best interest. Well, I'd say we have a pretty darn special group of managers that they'd put OUR interests first. I mean c'mon folks, how often do you see THAT? Yet nonetheless, while we stand in appreciation of our managers gracious efforts, has it ever occurred to them that the dealers themselves might be in a better position to determine what is truly in OUR best interests?

And with that I offer the following challenge. Ms. Director, I hope you're listening. For the next 12 months we will return to hours. A full 12 months is necessary so as to entail all seasons & holidays. At the end of said trial period each dealer will assess how the "new" hr. on 20 off has worked out for them (income, working conditions, fatigue, accuracy, etc.) & we will put it to a VOTE. If a simple majority of us feel that they just cannot live without the hour 20, we shall upon said vote immediately return to that system. Otherwise, the traditional hr. on 20 off shall rule.

In closing, many thanks to those responsible for this site which has provided a much needed platform for REAL feedback. I also remain optimistic that given management's "strong desire" to work WITH US, that they will eagerly embrace the above. And if not.............. well folks, THAT'S what this site is all about.

That's a pretty fair suggestion.  However, there is another "consequence" that you forgot to mention.  How would they compensate for all of the extra shifts that the normal 60/20 system would open?  Would they open fewer games, hire more Dealers, or would they **GASP** provide more shifts to our current Part-Timers?

Please don't get your hopes up about them taking on your challenge.  Harrah's refuses to provide us with a guarantee that our tokes will not be seized.  That would have simply required paper and words that would hold up in a court of law.  No meetings would have even been necessary.

You have definitely come to the right place to communicate with Harrah's executives.  As you may have read, it seems that Memphis has been a bit preoccupied with what we have to say.  Rest assured, both Memphis and Ms. Director are watching the site and will read/have read your feedback. 

Please tell more about the "heavy handed" nature of your meeting.  Sounds like they've been trained by a Union buster.  Did they try to convince you that "hours" would not be good in the same way that they tried to convince us that our Union would not be good for us?  More importantly, did they offer you cookies...you know, the nice fresh-baked ones, not the dried-up ones from the cafeteria?

#51  A Caesars Palace Dealer writes:

I recall asking myself why I needed Union prior to our organizing at Caesars. I only had to look up the street about two blocks to Mr. Wynn's property to give myself a conclusive answer. Mr. Wynn is the poster boy of corporate greed and Mr. Loveman is cut from the same cloth.

When you're sitting in your captive audience meeting think about why you're there. If they weren't so dead set against you gaining some say in your future why would they be having these meetings? The thought of you interfering with their total control of your money is anathema to them. " How dare those dealers dictate to us what we can and cannot do with the money they've earned!".

Bottom line with any corporation is 'the bottom line'. You'd better get some protection for yourself prior to the State Supreme court decision because as soon as it becomes legal for them to take your tokes guess what...

The bottom line is gonna come right out of YOUR bottom.

Good luck folks.. Get your card in and then VOTE YES

You mean to tell us that Mr. Loveman is greedy like Mr. Wynn?  Say it ain't so.

There are many people here who still believe that the Wynn tip policy won't happen to us.  Right now, there is a great deal for us hinging on the Nevada State Supreme Court, and that is because we have done nothing to protect ourselves.  It should be obvious that Harrah's has not yet enacted any variation of this policy because its legality is still in question.  Despite the Caesars Palace vote, and despite its claims, Harrah's has refused to provide guarantees that this policy will not be implemented here in any way, shape, or form. 

Once the Court rules against Dealers, Harrah's will be able to take our tips away.

Wynn Dealers still don't have their money back.  Contrary to the lie that we were told, Steve Wynn never once tried to give it back.

This is our only defense:

#38  Feedback from a Dealer

you won't post this in it's entirety... probably some mutated form... but, here's the issue. You prey off of fear and uncertainties, and you insist that a union will save jobs... but it can't. You hope that people who's jobs are on the line join your cause. You hope people who are part time and don't understand their hours get cut, join your cause. In reality, we in Tahoe have it pretty nicely. No one has touched our tokes. You prey on the fear of things that happened during our other merger... that's not cool.

Are you serious?  Honestly, are you saying that this website, which you have a choice to read or ignore, is preying on fears?  Did you attend any of their mandatory meetings?  Have you witnessed the drama that Harrah’s created?  Did you analyze the information that they presented in an objective way?  Have you been through this website and analyzed all of its information in an objective way?

What is the problem with finding out what our Contract will be before we make our decision?  We can do that.  We can choose to not ratify our Contract. 

How many questions have you asked?  We have seen enough of Harrah’s actions to know that there must be a better way, and in our situation as Americans, this is the only way to take matters into our own hands to defend our current situation and possibly improve it.  Unions are largely foreign to Northern Nevada, and we are people here who have gathered a great deal of information and are passing it along to curious coworkers.  There are Dealers from The Wynn and Caesars Palace, along with UAW Dealers from Eastern casinos, who want to help to answer any of your questions about working as a Union dealer.  Please remove your emotions from your decisions.  Harrah’s executives already have.

The saying “those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it” very much applies to us.  This is not about anybody’s fears.  This involves learning from the past and taking out the best “insurance policy” that we can have with our job situation.

If you read this book, you would see why the informed ones are very skeptical about the sincerity of the meetings.  If you don’t want to buy the book, you will find the majority of its crucial information linked in some way here.

Determining your stance on our Union should be an analytical decision, not an emotional one.  This website is linked to a great deal of information.  There are gaps.  Please tell, in what way is that information incomplete, and in what way can we provide more information?  If you are truly happy with your work situation as it stands, getting involved with this Union drive is an excellent step toward preserving the status quo.  Do you stand to lose a good schedule as a result of the matrix vote?  We had no say over the parameters of the vote.  With a Union, we could have.

You have provided a very important feedback, as it reflects sentiment of the vocal anti-Union individuals.  Sorry for the length of this response.  Nobody here is screaming “the sky is falling.”  There is a trend in Harrah’s treatment of its Dealers, and it has been the opposite of Harrah’s stock price and executive compensation.  Harrah’s stock price has increased 500% since shortly after Gary Loveman was hired.  Over that same period of time, many of our benefits have been reduced or eliminated.  Gary Loveman stands to get $94,000,000 in this buyout, and we will still be forced to work hour-twenties and have no guarantee about the security of our toke situation.  There is something seriously wrong with this picture.

We did post your feedback its entirety.  The only things that have been edited from posted feedbacks are identifying personal information and some minor things like spelling.  We are trying to avoid posting anybody’s name on the internet.  Again, this is not about spite; it is about getting a Contract and guarantees.  The only names of casino executives that have been posted here are Gary Loveman, Phil Satre, Steve Wynn, and Jan Jones.  Not even those presenting our meetings nor previous General Managers have had their names posted.  They only do the bidding of out-of-towners like Gary Loveman.  Again, this is a financial decision, not an emotional one.

It should be pointed out that, if we had a Contract, Harrah’s could not make any changes in it without our consent.  We could have prevented policy changes that have been forced upon us.

All things considered, we in Tahoe do have it pretty nicely, as was already touched upon on the front page of this website.  When we strictly focus on the workplace, there is a bit of a different picture.  Except for Lakeside Inn, Stateline casinos are the only ones in the state that have, as a whole, forced hour-twenties on their Dealers.  We are more are willing to work harder because many feel that it is worth the sacrifice to be able to live here.  Harrah’s has been taking advantage of this.

Many people are not yet over the emotions of the meetings.  There was a lot of misinformation presented and some blatant lies as well.

They lied about the TWU Authorization Card giving power of attorney in order to scare you away from sending it in.  They lied to you about Wynn Contract negotiations so that you would not understand that negotiations have been taking place, and progress is being made.  Harrah’s misled you to seek guarantees from TWU about our Contract where there is no legal place to do so.  They misled you by not explaining that Contracts are ratified after negotiations.  They did not explain that a Union can be decertified.  It is Harrah’s that has misled and lied to you in order to prey on your fears.

Nobody from TWU has knocked on your door.

How is it that this website “preys off of fears and uncertainties,” when it is Harrah’s that generates the uncertainties?  It is Harrah’s that has made all of the cutbacks and continues to leave us with uncertainties.  It is Harrah’s that fabricated its own fears and uncertainties in the meetings.  It is Harrah’s that wrote this in our Employee Handbook.

Please look through this website and find where you are feeling misled.  If you’ll bring it to our attention, mistakes will be corrected, and misleading statements will be set straight.  Yes, there are some gaps here, and they will be filled in over time.  Harrah’s has yet to correct its lies and misleading statements and has had weeks to do so.

About the Wynn situation, this website points to Harrah’s history of cost-cutting measures and is shedding light on an issue that will come to the forefront with a court case that has yet to be decided.  The trend is not in our favor.  Is that cool?  If the court case goes in favor of Wynn Dealers, that issue will be dropped and we focus on our other issues.  If it goes against Wynn Dealers, we have only one way to stop that policy from being forced upon us.  Right now, it is a prominent issue, because the Nevada Supreme Court has decided to hear the case but has not set a date.  A Union provides the “ounce of prevention” to help keep the policy from being forced on us.  Management still has not provided a legally binding guarantee that they will not implement any variety of this major policy issue.

Just a few years ago, maybe even before you started your work at Harrah’s, we had a 100% match on up to 6% of our income for our 401k.  We now get half of that.  If somebody would have told you, before we lost half of our 401k contribution, that a Union could prevent it, would you have said that they were preying on your fears?

For more than one year, many of us have been wondering how long it would take for Harrah’s to implement Wynn’s toke policy.  Harrah’s has issued conflicting statements, and has never provided an absolute guarantee that such a thing would not happen here. This is one that we can see coming, and this is an issue that simply petitioning for a vote can halt.  Just like our 401k, once Harrah’s touches our tokes, the only way that we can get them back is by fighting for them in negotiations.  Right now, we can effectively prevent this from happening without much of a struggle against Harrah's.  Again, this is not the only issue.  It is, however, a major cut into our income over which we can have a legal say with our Union.

It is true that no one has touched our tokes.  No one touched our 401k either…until Harrah’s unilaterally decided to chop its contribution in half.  [see correction in post #40]

Part-Timers do get their hours cut.  There may even be concern among Full-Timers that their hours would, with a Union, get distributed to others.  Part-timers and Full-Timers alike have no intent of that happening. If you believe that, it is yet one more thing that Management would like for you to continue to believe and tell others.  Full-Timers and Part-Timers alike would at least like to keep from losing any positives of their current situation.  Can you agree with that?

If you are somebody who is feeling that their hours are at risk, would you be opposed to this?  Management repeated it over and over…“Everything’s on the table.”  Here’s one other thing that can be put “on the negotiating table.”  Enable Part-Time employees to qualify for medical insurance by picking up hours in other capacities within the company when shifts are not available within their main position.  Would you rather your coworkers have a greater opportunity for affordable health care, or would you prefer that they risk bankruptcy from a trip to the hospital?

If you have medical insurance, would you be opposed to finding out if it is possible to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses?  That, too, can be put "on the table."

We mentioned that we got our wage increases back shortly after this website launched.  Do you think that this had nothing to do with it?

Effective Contracts certainly do provide guarantees.  If we have a Contract, and the Contract is breached by Harrah’s, we have recourse.  They can fire us right now, and there is nothing that we can do about it.  With the right Contract, if they try to do so, we have recourse and TWU lawyers to back us.

Yes, there is uncertainty.  A Contract will go a great distance toward eliminating uncertainty and fears that people may feel, because a Collective Bargaining Agreement is a legally binding document relating to the terms of our employment.  Having a good Contract will prevent Management from making unilateral decisions about our workplace issues.  Why do you not want to even try to get a Contract?

There is a central issue, and it is the issue from which all others have spawned.  As a reminder, all of these issues arose since Gary Loveman was hired by Harrah’s and while Harrah's stock price has skyrocketed.

A Contract does provide certainties.  Harrah’s can provide guarantees, right now, but chooses to not do so.  TWU cannot, by law, provide any guarantees of what will be in any Contract.  If there is anyplace on the site where there is any inadvertent guarantee of what will be in the Contract, please inform us and we will fix it.  Unlike Harrah’s, nobody here wants to mislead you.

A Union is not just about preventing bad things from happening to policy, but Unions also help to drive progress.  We will have more about Contracts at a later date.

Thank You for your patience in reading through this response.  Please tell us...how is it that a Contract can not help to secure your job?

It is a difficult argument for other dealers to make that we are just “crying wolf” after we already got an arm gnawed off.

#40  Dealer feedback/response

In response to #38, when you say "no one has touched our tokes". Allow me to remind you of a time when tokes were handed out weekly in a separate toke check from the toke room. It was a good feeling to know that you'd have $$$ for whatever reason on a weekly basis. That was changed to the current situation of tokes being included in the bi-weekly paycheck. What does Harrah's do with the $$$ that dealers have earned during these two weeks? Just hold it aside in a slush fund of some sort? I've heard rumors that they have a bank account, earning interest off the dealers' money, then giving it back to the dealers, interest free. Does that sound fair for them to profit further off dealers' work? I'm not saying that I'm pro-union, just for once I'm agreeing that deeper research on both sides needs to be done before commenting on matters.

Oh, and to those that handle the posting on this site, though you may make changes when spelling errors occur, you need to work on your proofreading. There were 3 errors alone in your reply to #38. Just an FYI.......

Good point.  Our tokes already have been touched.  It was Steve Wynn who was the first to force Dealer tokes into their paychecks, now nearly every other casino does the same.  It was also Steve Wynn who was the pioneer of his toke redistribution scheme.  We have a say in stopping this from happening to us if we choose to do so.

Errors in grammar do occur, and we attempt to keep them to a minimum.  If anything crucial needs correction, please inform us.