Former workers sue Station Casinos

Station Casinos is being sued by workers who accuse the company of violating provisions of Nevada’s “Right to Return” to work law.

US.- A group of 76 hospitality workers have filed a lawsuit against Station Casinos, one of Nevada’s largest gaming companies, over alleged violations of the state’s Right to Return law, which was passed into legislation on 1 July 2021. The law grants protections for workers who lost their jobs as a result of pandemic-related redundancies.

The Culinary Union, which represents over 60,000 hospitality workers, hosted a press conference with many of the employees. It said 80 per cent of the staff laid off by Station Casinos had returned to work but “thousands” remained unemployed.

Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer at the Culinary Union, commented: “They demand the right to be rehired, and reinstatement into job positions in which they are qualified. They cannot decide to toss you out like an old shoe, or trash to kick to the curb.”

Pappageorge said Station Casinos was Nevada’s third-largest private employer. Station Casinos operates nine large casino-hotels and 10 bar, restaurant and sports betting properties in and around Las Vegas. The company has said it has always complied with the law “despite it being as misguided, counterproductive, and useless”.

A spokesperson for the casino group commented: “While we are not even sure what a ‘mass action lawsuit’ is in this context, we are certain that it is intended to harass and bully Station Casinos.”

See also: Station Casinos launches internship programme in Las Vegas

Problems with unions

As reported by Focus Gaming News, last year, US district judge Gloria Navarro issued an order for Station Casinos to recognise the Culinary and Bartenders Union at Red Rock Casino and to begin contract talks. Some 1,350 employees wanted to unionise, but the judge said Station Casinos had refused to negotiate in good faith, something she said was “a hallmark violation” of federal labour law.

The judge ordered the company not to threaten, discipline or interfere with employees because of their membership or support for the union.