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Myths and Lies

 

As Management continues to misrepresent the facts, we will set the record straight here.  If you do not believe what you read here, please do your own research.  You are encouraged to do so.


The Big Lie

     This lie was told by Mr. President and other executives in their mandatory fear-mongering meetings.  It is lies like this one that destroy their credibility. 

Q.  If I sign a Union Authorization Card, am I giving the TWU Power of  Attorney?

A.  Yes, once signed you have given the TWU the right to represent you.  The card is not just for the election.

     The above is a ridiculous assertion.  They are grasping for straws.  This is yet another fear tactic.  They lied to us in the meeting, and they even put it in writing.  We will set the record straight.  Here is everything written on the card itself, and this is what you are signing. 

Request for Employee Representation Election Under the National Labor Relations Act. 

Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO

(Please print clearly)

I authorize the Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO to request the National Labor Relations Board to conduct an investigation and a representation election, also to represent me in all negotiations of wages, hours and working conditions in accordance with the NLRB.  This does not obligate me financially in any way.

--your information and signature--

This card is Confidential.  Your Employer Never Sees It.  It Goes to the U.S. Government.

REMEMBER: These cards are CONFIDENTIAL.  Your Employer WILL NEVER SEE THEM.  These cards indicate your desire to have a union election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board among you and your co-workers.  Signing this card DOES NOT OBLIGATE you financially to TWU.

...plus shift, property, and the address.  Las Vegas Dealers Local 721 is in Nevada.  Harrah's has a base in Tennessee.  The new owners are out of Texas.  

     Please contact the NLRB if you are uncertain about anything.  You may contact them through their website at www.nlrb.gov or at our regional office:

Oakland (Region 32)
Oakland Federal Building
1301 Clay Street, Room 300-N
Oakland, CA 94612-5211
Regional Director: Alan B. Reichard
Hours of Operation: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm (PST)

TEL: 510-637-3300
FAX: 510-637-3315

     Harrah's is not an impartial advisor and will tell you whatever they can to maintain their absolute control over your wages and working conditions.  Many of their statements are either a stretch or require the words, "in our opinion" in order to keep from breaking the law.

     Even if you sign your card, and even if there is an election, and even if we vote in our Union, you still are not financially obligated in any way.  End of discussion.

     There is no picnic raffle here.  That was another fear tactic.  The only reason why they think that we can be so easily fooled is because Harrah's has been doing it to us and getting away with it, until now. 

It is Harrah's that has lied to you.  We have not.


Lies

LIE:  Steve Wynn tried to give dealers their tips back.  
FACT: Listen to the tape.  Did you ever hear those words here?  He could, right now, offer to give their tips back.  The only thing needed would be Union (Dealers) approval.  Rest assured, Wynn Dealers will not turn down control of their money.  Steve Wynn still refuses to give up control.

LIE:  The situation with Wynn dealers has gotten worse since they voted in their Union. 
FACT:  A statement from a Wynn dealer.

LIE:  Unions were necessary 50 years ago, but are not necessary today.
FACT:  There are Unions in our community.  Both Safeway and Raley's employees in South Lake Tahoe are Union.  Survey them with one simple question: 

Do you feel that your Union is necessary? 

LIE:  TWU only cares about getting your money.
FACTS:  TWU is a nonprofit organization.  Here is  ARTICLE II of Transport Workers Union of America's Constitution (bold emphases ours):

"The objects of this organization shall be:

(a) To unite in this industrial union, regardless of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation or nationality, all workers eligible for membership.

(b)  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.

(c)  To promote legislation advancing the interests of the Union and its members at the local, state and national levels, to engage in political education of the membership, and to engage in such other activity (specifically including sponsoring and supporting grassroots programs at the International and Local levels, using our resources and the voting strength of our members to gain the support of the public and of legislators for our views, and supporting political candidates who share our views), as may be necessary or advisable to safeguard the economic security and social welfare of working people and to protect and extend our democratic institutions, civil rights and liberties, and to perpetuate the cherished traditions of our democracy.

(d)  To organize unorganized employees in the transportation and other industries."

TWU's Constitution contrasts greatly with the "Vision Statement" of Harrah's:

"Each of our brands will be the overwhelming first choice of its targeted customers for casino entertainment."

     Ask yourself...which one of the above centers around empowering people, and which one centers around making money? 

     Digging deeper into Harrah's "Code of Commitment," we find this misrepresentation of our reality:

"The Harrah's Code of Commitment governs the conduct of our business.  It's a public pledge to our guests, our employees, and our communities that we will honor the trust they have placed in us...

A commitment to our employees to treat them with respect and provide them opportunities to build satisfying careers:

  • We invest in our employees by providing excellent pay and valuable benefits, including health insurance and a retirement plan."
    [comment: Harrah's refuses to provide nearly half of its Dealers with its already weakened health insurance,  Harrah's contribution to our 401k was cut in half, and Harrah's froze our wages until this Union drive commenced.]  

  • "We are committed to sharing our financial success through programs such as cash bonuses for frontline employees." 
    [comment: if we do an outstanding job this year, it is more difficult for us to get our morsel of a bonus next year] 

  • "We encourage professional and personal growth through tuition reimbursement, on the job training, career development, and promotion from within."
    [comment: nothing against our current Management team, but if Harrah's truly promotes from within, why were our fully capable local Supervisors passed by for a team from two time zones away?]    

  • "We actively seek and respond to employee opinions on all aspects of their jobs, from the quality of their supervisors to the quality of our casinos..."
    [comment: there is evidence that Turning the Tables and EOS Surveys are little more than Harrah's imposition of Union-busting techniques.]  

"A commitment to our communities to help make them vibrant places to live and work, and to market our casinos responsibly:

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

     We cannot trust the restructuring plans of TPG and the policy of Harrah's out-of-town executive staff.  There is a history and trend here.  We can trust our fellow Dealers.  Send in your TWU Card.  We work with you and are a part of your community.


Myths

MYTH:  "Everything will be on the table."
FACT:  Everything IS on the table RIGHT NOW, and Harrah's has complete control over what to do with it!  If you had complete control, would you want to give it up?  With our Union, we will get some control of our future back!

MYTH:  We will be stuck with what is negotiated. 
FACT: We do not get stuck with a bad contract.  We vote on it after the negotiations.  Our Contract must be ratified by us.  Mr. President conveniently left out this fact.

MYTH:  TWU is not the right representative for Dealers.
FACT:  TWU now represents Dealers of the two most prominent casinos in Nevada.  TWU has been successfully negotiating Contracts with the tough-as-nails airline industry since before most of us were born.  TWU is in the process of organizing other Dealers in Nevada as well. 

MYTH:  Caesars Palace Dealers have gotten nothing yet with their "YES" votes.
FACT:  Caesars Palace Dealers now have rights that they never had before.  Harrah's must now have permission from Caesars Palace Dealers to change terms of their employment.  It's called "Status Quo," and it gets locked in once there is a petition for a vote and carries through to the Contract ratification.
 

MYTH:  We will all be forced to pay Union dues. 
FACT:  "Right to work" means just that.  You are not required to be in the Union. 

MYTH:  This whole Union thing is little more than buying the opportunity for a horse trade.    
FACT:  CLICK HERE


The Future

     More sideshows will debut, with misrepresentation of facts, including jail, fear mongering, fines, history, the Contract of a defunct casino, and Unions in general...when will Harrah's hold our next meetings?

     Harrah's subjected Las Vegas Dealers to a similar campaign of deception that we are just starting, and Harrah's failed to convince Caesars Palace Dealers that they should vote against having more rights.