|
|
Your Feedback If you have an issue that should be addressed, please use the Submit Feedback Form so that we can give it attention here!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
|
|
|
162 From Alice 7-9-08
There have been several emails asking why there is no
feedback posted since June.
We would ask the same question.
YOU are the ones who provide that feedback!
Since you have the time and interest to send the emails, WHY
haven't YOU sent any feedback?
SPEAK UP!
If something is on your mind - SPEAK UP!
Alice
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 161 From a Mirage Dealer 7-7-08
Hi, it's been quiet around here lately
so I thought I would write in.
Is the reason for the silence because we are all so happy with our work place? Or could it be the new shift boss on day shift is kinder and gentler? Most of us have been hoping it would rub off on his delightful assistant as of yet we are still waiting.
The Rio dealers did not send in there
cards because they had a witch for a shift boss they sent them
in to protect there future. To keep there status quo.
The dealers at MGM MIRAGE properties need to wake up!! See what the future could have in store for them. And it will have nothing to do with the witch on day shift or the village idiot on swing. It will have everything to do with our MONEY, BENEFITS, SENIORITY, JOB SECURITY. And to those who are under the illusion that the dealers in Vegas will never organize wake up it is happening. How many properties in town need to vote yes to convince the Mirage dealers it can be done? The law clearly states that they must negotiate with us. During that time we keep what we have (status quo.) So what is everyone so afraid of? The Witch and the Village idiot. Have the webmasters of this site given up on us?
Thank you for your feed back.
Of course we have not given up on our fellow dealers.
DON'T give up on yourselves!
We have noticed that alot of the Mirage dealers want to play the wait and see game. We will wait, and we will see.
We will watch the MGM eat us alive.
Alice
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 160 From a Mirage Dealer 7-4-08 I went to the TWU for the first time
last week and they gave me the VOTE YES red shirt.
We love the red shirts!
Great job and the Rio dealers would love to see you show up wearing it. We went to Caesars wearing our shirts. When our time comes you can bet the RIO, WYNN, CAESARS DEALERS Will show up at the mirage with there red shirts to show us there support this is what it is all about Dealers supporting dealers never ever thought it could happen but here ya go.
Norma
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 159 From the Webmasters 7-4-08
Well according to a day shift Floorman,
who used to do the schedule, is saying big layoffs are coming in
July and that means bad shoppers reports will be coming before
that.
He said that management won't be going by seniority but by what's in your file. If you should get a "bad" Report ask them to produce the person who shopped you. {they have to}. And if they do produce the shopper don't be surprised to find out that the shoppers are actually members of management from our other properties!!! They are floorman, pit bosses, office workers, mostly junior wanna-be break-in ass-kissers. So my fellow dealers watch your P's & Q's, dot your I's and cross your T's. And keep those cards and letters coming!!!
Webmasters
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 158 From a Mirage Dealer 7-4-08
Hey can we get the union to do
something about the smoking situation at the mirage.
I smell like a stinky construction worker half way through my shift. Oh, and I heard that the female poker dealers got permission from the poker room management to have that lining ripped out of their shirts from uniform control. I went back and was told it was only the poker dealers shirts that could have the lining taken out. someone please stand up be accountable for the ugliest most uncomfortable uniforms on the strip. I have players all the time comment on how uncomfortable and ugly they look. We are front line employees and the maid's uniforms look better than ours.
It looks like it will be a cold day in
hell before we get comfortable uniforms again.
Maybe new owners will provide us with
something more appropriate for dealing.
The smokers DO have a new smoking
area, closer to the casino. At least they get to have a full
break now, although they are now overwhelmed by the garbage
bins.
Alice
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 157 From a Mirage Dealer 6-13-08
THE RIO DEALERS WILL HOLD THEIR VOTE ON
JULY 12, 2008.
VOTE YES RIO!
PROTECT YOURSELVES FROM FUTURE CHANGES!
LOCK IN YOUR STATUS QUO!
DEALERS ALL OVER TOWN ARE WATCHING! THE WAITING IS OVER! WE CAN FINALLY HAVE A DEALER'S UNION! WAKE UP! IT IS HAPPENING NOW!
SEND IN YOUR CARDS SO WE CAN VOTE TOO!
DUKE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 156 From a Mirage Dealer 6-11-08 Things at the Mirage get better all the time! I heard that the
most "seasoned" Salespeople from the Street Of Shops are being
weeded out and fired! 9 Security Guards were "let go"!
Dealers wake up! It's all about the
City Center. Now we are feeling it, and if it means job
losses at the Mirage
then there will be terminations.
Dealers notice who is being terminated
at the Street Of Shops... no union there.
Security... no union there (yet).
Cocktail waitresses, bartenders had
their shifts eliminated and were moved to the top of the
extra board, not the streets. They might not have their
steady shifts anymore, but they are still employed with
benefits.
We should be so lucky. We can too, if
you send in your cards, and vote YES.
DUKE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 155 From a Mirage Dealer 6-10-08 Okay, I understand dealers are leery about this union. Okay, I understand that. But don't you think that when the Culinary came that the bartenders and cocktail waitresses were leery too? They took a chance and trusted that Culinary would take care of them, and they did.. Teamsters tried to come here but dealers wouldn't get together on anything. I know because I went to the meeting and maybe 150 showed up. Wow, what a turn out. So they said they couldn't help us. We should be grateful that the TWU wants to take us on again.. Sending in the cards doesn't mean you have to vote Yes for the union, it just shows you are showing an interest in it. We need 70% to, at least, get to vote and if you aren't happy with the union you can vote NAY... Just give yourself a voice and send in the card. You are going to vote for President this year right?? Then make a voice for yourself and Send In Your Cards....Thank you for listening. Things change and if you think it doesn't, then you are in a delusional state.
We thank you for writing in and
pointing out that sending in a card only gives us the right
to hold a vote.
Dealers, we just want the opportunity
to hold a vote.
Send in your cards.
DUKE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 154 From a Mirage Dealer 6-7-08 I am already hearing feedback about the new shift manager on swing...I just knew he couldn't change his ways. Can a tiger change it's spots? Good luck Swing. Send in your cards. Let's be the next ones to qualify for a vote.
This is not about one nasty shift
boss, but if he can get the job done, well then, so be
it.
Dealers wake up.
This is about seniority, wages, "at
will" status, attendance, discipline, part timers, full
timers, our right to have procedures to protect us against
greedy corporations.
WE will be the membership! What we
vote on will matter. A union is only as good as it's
membership.
Strong members, strong union.
The TWU does not decide what is good
for dealers. Only dealers will decide what our issues will
be.
Only dealers can ratify a contract.
Your voice will be heard 4 times, 1st
by sending in your authorization card, 2nd by voting in the
union election, 3rd by deciding what issues belong
to MGM-Mirage dealers, and 4th by voting on your contract.
Your voice will be heard! But you
must take the first step by sending in your card.
Lucy (in the sky)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 153 From a Mirage Dealer 6-7-08 Great Job RIO! Congratulations! Let's keep it going!!
Seniority is a very important issue
for dealers. Management... not so much, seniority will
interfere with their right to manage.
Dealers wake up. It is not cost
effective to hold on to seniority dealers.
We are "at will" employees. Any one of
us can be layed off tomorrow, seniority or no seniority.
Send in your cards Mirage dealers. If
the Rio can do it so can we.
NormaRae
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 152 From a Mirage Dealer 6-6-08
I was listening to a few dealers talk about how great our
new shift manager is the other day. I would have to agree
how refreshing it is to have someone to respect walking the
day shift casino floor.
But I am worried will the fact he is already so well
liked keep us from getting new cards sent to the TWU?
We have mentioned this before but it is worth saying again, he is just middle management.
He is NOT who we will be
fighting the good fight with, it is MGM MIRAGE
corporate.
Mr. K. is not responsible for
raising our insurance premiums, or our pay. He has
nothing to do with our job security, our toke
bylaws, or our toke distribution,
He cannot change company
policies overnight. He cannot take our "AT WILL"
employee status away from us.
He cannot give us the
protection of union mediation and/or arbitration.
He cannot order a Shop Steward
to accompany you upstairs.
He can give us nothing in
writing with the exception of the employee file.
Day Shift would like to take
this opportunity to thank Mr. B. for the switch!
We now have a shift boss who
can send a genuine smile your way.
His respect for dealers is
evident.
Make no mistake Mr. B, he has
the respect of most of the day shift dealers, but
that does not mean our quest to be unionized has
ended.
We are not going away. This
pesky little web site is here to stay until the
dealers at the Mirage have announced they have
become TWU members with all the protection that
being members will afford them.
United we Bargain, Divided
we Beg.
NormaRae
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 151 From a Mirage Dealer 6-5-08 This is in reference to the men who have died while working on
the city center.
Sadly, we are sure MGM MIRAGE
considered this man as a number #6.
A casualty of the greatness of City
Center and their quest for more earnings for the share
holders.
Only the victim's Union Brothers were
having none of it. They demanded their safety be a
consideration.
Look at the power of the steel
worker's union! Work stopped for hours not days.
We are already under the bus.
So let's join the RIO, WYNN, CAESAR'S
DEALERS AND JUMP ON THE UNION TRAIN!
NormaRae
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 150 From a Mirage Dealer 6-5-08 LMAO.......In response to #147 and #149. This is the Dynamic Duo folks !! Teaming up to make our lives miserable. KINDERGARTEN AT IT'S FINEST. People are not stupid, we see everything that goes on. PLEASE... keep those cards coming !!! Results will follow.
Yes, results will follow. All we need
to do is look to the RIO DEALERS for proof of that.
June 3, 2008 the Rio Dealers announced
they have enough cards to petition the NLRB for their union
vote.
One more casino's jump on the TWU
train.
This is power people! One hotel at a
time. We have had the power all along, it is in the palm of
our hand.
We can make it happen. Send in your
cards! We can unionize the dealers in the State of Nevada.
A special little thank you should go
out to Mr. Wynn for opening the eyes of dealers all across
town on just how disrespected we are.
Yes, we will continue to be classified
by Mr. Wynn and others as just NUMBERS but now they will be
TWU numbers and growing larger
everyday.
NormaRae
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 149 From a Mirage Dealer 5-30-08 In reference to feedback number 143, I too have some physical limitations that are getting worse all the time. My husband is very active in looking into the union at 1 of our hotels. I've had no opinion either way till lately, as my arthritis in my neck and back has been getting bad. The scarier thought is that I haven't been dealing that long. I am seeing and hearing more stories from other dealers who suffer from similar problems. I don't ask to be moved to another game less hurtful, cause I see where certain dealers only get that, and others don't. I take my medicine although the doctor says it won't get better till I do something else. Just the other day I am dealing and in pain and I finally saw what my husband has been talking about for months. On the game next to me is the assistant shift manager sitting down talking to a dealer, chewing gum and drinking coffee. This is obviously a young person who could never understand my pain or anyone else's, but probably also never was a dealer. If the president is going to put these kind of bosses out there I can see where we are going to need someone to fight and represent us. There has to be other dealers who are going through the same thing. I am worried. What do you think?
We think you need to stand behind your
husband and send in your card.
He is correct. We need representation
to protect us from bosses who love to show favoritism.
It is even worse when someone is
suffering from illness. You should be very worried,
especially if you have a long term illness.
MGM-MIRAGE has never been dealer
illness friendly, unless you have been confined to a
wheelchair. Then they are forced to be compliant.
DUKE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 148 From a Mirage Dealer 5-30-08 I've worked at the Mirage for many years. I love my job and I
remember when I loved going to work at the Mirage. I've developed
some serious medical problems over the years and I need to use
Intermittent Leave more often than I like. It's bad enough that
other dealers think there's some benefit to having Intermittent
Leave, but when Management decided that they'd punish the people
(sick enough to have a doctor fill out the forms required for FMLA),
and arbitrarily make the sick person use precious vacation days when
they call in sick, that really won the prize. On top of taking my
vacation days when I'm too sick to enjoy them, the office gets to
decide if my sick day is a "Peak" day, and they won't pay me for
that one.
Our Employee Relations should be the
TWU local 721. We will mention this as many times as needed.
Employee Relations and Human Resources are NOT
representation for the dealers.
We need representation. We need a
union to fight for us.
As a dealer, I have never voted
in SICK tokes but our casino management has decided that if
you have a long term intermittent illness you are entitled
to sick tokes (paid for by yourself.)
We have noticed a huge decrease
in Peak Attendance weekends since our web site came online.
Just imagine if we were union, we would probably be able to
negotiate no more than 3 weekends a year.
Sick dealers should not have to use
vacation days for their illnesses. When I call in sick, I am
not forced to use my vacation time, so why should any dealer
be forced to use their earned time for illnesses?
Send in your cards for your future.
NOW!!
Alice
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 147 From a Mirage Dealer 5-30-08 Well here we go again. Day shift pit manager tries to make a name for herself, has a memo written to tell dealers not to come in early! Wow, here as dealers, even though its slow, and tokes are down, we still try to do a good job! We are told not to come to work early, what a way to inspire people! And upper management agrees with her!
Well... can anyone figure out how much
3 minutes of over time is?
Thinking about it makes my brain hurt.
But at our whopping $7.75 per hr. I guess the Mirage is
worried about the handful of dealers that could be clocking
in 3 minutes early.
NormaRae
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 146 From a Mirage Dealer 5-26-08 Hello my Fellow Mirage Dealers. I need to settle a bet. I would like to know how many dealers have been pulled up to the office or have been reprimanded with somebody to represent them. I say it's zero, my friend says it happened once. There's a cold beer riding on this one. Can anybody help me out here?
Well go ahead and order your beer
- you WIN!
We're glad to see you have a sense of
humor.
No dealer from the mirage has ever had
the luxury of being represented in a disciplinary situation
at the Mirage.
We do have it on good authority that
Caesars and the Wynn dealers never go to any disciplinary
meetings with management without their Union Steward by
their side.
DUKE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 145 From your Mirage Webmaster 5-24-08
KEEP THOSE CARDS COMING IN PEOPLE!!
GREAT JOB!!
Alice
NormaRae
Duke
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 144 From a Mirage Dealer 5-21-08 Mr. S only cares about getting and partying with 21 year old
big BOOBED girls he hires for the Bare POOL. His wife should know
about the things he does or maybe she wouldn't care because he is
getting those BIG SALARIES.
It's probably all talk. What do they care
about ANY of us, especially smokers?? Someone will have to pass
out from heatstroke before they "take another look" at the
situation.
DUKE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 143 From a Mandalay Bay Dealer 5-20-08
I am a Mandalay Bay dealer and I have a real issue here that
I wonder if we do become a union as dealers, can the TWU help us
with this?
I am a smoker and disabled and I feel like I am a criminal
because of it. When we were hired this was not an issue nor a
condition, and now they indirectly want us all to quit.
I recognize the law, and it states that there should be no
smoking where there is food service. The Mandalay Bay has an
abundance of space which I am sure has a place where we would be
sheltered from the elements of nature and not be shunned upon.
I have to hide when I am on a break because the places that were
assigned are so far away that with the given time on our breaks
to get to and fro, it is almost impossible to sit eat, go to the
bathroom, wash your hands and enjoy your one and only vice for
some of us. These places must have been chosen by a non-smoker
with no disability, they have made it almost impossible for us
as (dealers) to walk to these few chosen area in the very
limited amount of time given to us. So being disabled it is
even worse! One of the places they chose is on the sixth floor,
sure there are benches there to sit ,but there is no covering
from the element of nature the benches get so hot (and mind you
it is not full summer yet) that I burned my leg, it was red and
blistered. I did not realize how hot it really was till I got
home and there are bees everywhere. But do you think I am going
to tell Management? Heck no, Why? 1st they really don't care and
2nd they'll frown on me because I smoke, and then probably send
me for a drug test! Which is no problem for me other than being
humiliated again. All the other places assigned are even further
away.
MGM/Mirage has taken this law to the letter, but not because
they are so righteous, but because one individual whom has the
all the power hates smokers, He has made this clear to us. We
tried to talk to him as to consider at least the handicap
employees and his response was "it's not happening" And that
came from Mr. B. H. himself.
The smokers as well as the nonsmokers
at the Mirage understand and sympathize with you.
We have the same situation, with the
exception that at the Mirage the smokers at least are under
cover from the blazing sun.
Smokers are very low on the priority
list at the Mirage. Our hotel president has made it
abundantly clear he detests smokers and smoking.
I feel especially bad for the female
dealers at the Mirage who smoke. They must wear uniforms
that are more like Cardigan sweaters than shirts. I do
not smoke, but I see these girls come back from break all
flushed, and wet with perspiration.
It would be nice to see Mr. S outside
wearing the female dealer uniform in 110 degree heat.
Something could have been done by now.
But MGM Mirage does not care about
their employees... only their bottom line.
DUKE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 142 Report From a Foxwoods Dealer 5-19-08
Union Stages MGM Casino Protest at Foxwoods
MGM Foxwoods Dealers The United Auto Workers gathered near the new MGM Grand at Foxwoods in Ledyard on Saturday to kick off the first of two days of protests against what the union calls an unfair tipping policy and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe's refusal to bargain. Union members were doing a "visibility" protest, trying to make sure casino customers and others are aware of what they say are unfair labor practices. "We're trying to let them know what's going on," protest organizer Peggy Shorey said. The object, she said, was to obtain recognition for the union and the issues its members are facing with MGM Grand. Shorey said many dealers were joining the demonstration before and after their shifts. It was hard at times Saturday to hear Bob Fandetti talk. Cars, buses and trucks speeding down Route 2 blew their horns loudly as Fandetti, a dealer at Foxwoods Resort Casino, explained why he and his fellow pro-union co-workers were rallying in front of the entrance to the new MGM Grand hotel and casino, which opened at the strike of midnight Saturday. Dealers want the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, which owns the casino, to recognize their decision to join the United Auto Workers union six months ago. The tribe has questioned the authority of the National Labor Relations Board, which oversaw the union election. The pro-union dealers are also upset that their counterparts at the new casino aren't going to pool tips with other Foxwoods' dealers. ”Under tribal law we wouldn't have no so-say whatsoever,” Fandetti, a 10-year employee, said of the dealers' decision to join the United Auto Workers union six months ago.“We voted for it - we're not going away.” George Taylor, a pro-union dealer, said the casino is“creating disparity” among the dealers at the MGM Grand and Foxwoods by not having pooled tips. Normally, all dealers' tips are collected and then divided based evenly among the workers based on how many hours they work. The move is“ completely unfair,” Taylor said, and it's“ definitely designed to divide us and weaken us.” Bunches of pro-union dealers demonstrated in various spots along Route 2 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday trying to draw attention to their cause through the high-profile opening of the new MGM Grand. The dealers have a large rally planned for 9 a.m. today, with fellow casino workers coming by bus from Atlantic City and New York to show support. A new policy that went into effect Saturday restructures the way tips are distributed among dealers, which the union says will decrease their earnings. Shorey said the tipping policy is just one example of the casino refusing to bargain with the union, and another reason the dealers want to have union contracts. The union won an election last fall to represent table game dealers at Foxwoods. The Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, which owns the casino, has challenged the union election several times, saying federal labor law doesn't apply to a casino on tribal land. A spokesman for the tribe criticized Saturday's protest. "What you're looking at is a lack of respect for tribal law and a publicity stunt," said Bruce MacDonald, the spokesman. He said the dealers could have bargained under the federal Tribal Labor Relations Act, which has its own standards of fair labor practices, instead of joining the UAW. The dealers could be bargaining now instead of protesting, MacDonald said. The union will begin today's protest with a morning rally from 9:30 to 10:30, and is expecting Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, state legislators, union leaders, game dealers and other union members to attend. MGM MIRAGE ARE UNION - BUSTERS MGM Mirage in Las Vegas continues to SPEND Millions of Dollars in their attempt to try to STOP the Casino Security Professionals from Organizing with the International Union Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America SPFPA. The SPFPA who are supporting the UAW dealers is planning to have their own Informational Picketing at several MGM Mirage Casinos on Memorial Day weekend. http://www.SPFPALOCAL7777.ORG http://www.spfpalocal7777.org/INFOMATIONALPICKETING.html SUPPORT TWU LOCAL 721 DEALERS BY SIGNING UP WITH THEM! THREE UNIONS - ONE STRONG VOICE - UAW - SPFPA - TWU 721 DEALERS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 141 From a Mirage Dealer 5-18-08 Ok well I checked out the feature you have on the front page
about Dubai and MGM Mirage. A bit far fetched but I was interested
so I Googled Dubai World. I find it amazing that a company this rich
with money and is involved with so very many ventures, does not
mention the MGM Mirage or City Center anywhere on their website. I
guess in the scope of things, MGM Mirage is just a small grain of
sand to them.
What we find interesting is how DUBAI
WORLD will own half of the City Center when their investment in
City Center was only 2.7 billion, and it will cost 9 billion
dollars to complete.
These Dubai guys are pretty good as negotiators! Maybe the TWU could hire their lawyers for our negotiations!
LOL!
NormaRae
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 140 From a Mirage Dealer 5-18-08 Don't worry, Swing-shift dealers will be sending in their cards by the droves. They get a new shift manager Wednesday. Happy Days are here again, for Dayshift Of course! He'll be good for awhile, but you can't change once you are like that. What is "that"? Not trustworthy, and if he doesn't like you, he will Stop at nothing to get paper trails on you and harass you. Be aware Swing. And I am sure he is reading this and will show everyone he isn't like that. HE IS, can't change your spots that easily!
We really need to make it clear this
union drive is not about our middle management. They do as
they are told.
Yes, we know some of them do it with a
lot more class than others, but the bottom line is, this
fight for representation is not with them, it is with the
Corporation. THEY are the ones who can change our benefits
with the swipe of a pen, change policies overnight, give us
a raise or take it away, when it suits them!
But we will not complain if moving
bosses around could possibly get us more TWU authorization
cards!
NormaRae
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 139 From a Rio Dealer 5-18-08 I'm a Rio dealer.
We are just about ready to roll.
Thanks for taking the time to look in
on us!
Rio dealers are definitely on a high
speed train!
Mirage dealers are moving on a slower
track, but we'll get there just the same!
We're sure the Rio dealers will have
some great advice to help our Mirage fence sitters.
See you at the Picnic!
NormaRae
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 138 From a Mirage Swing Dealer 5-17-08 Swing dealer here. How long has this website been up? You guys need to do a better job at getting the word out. I will do my best to spread the word.
We are working on swing, but we need all
the help we can get. MGM Mirage does some of the work for us!
Everytime a dealer gets screwed, we get a new card! It's a
wonderful life.
UNITED WE BARGAIN, DIVIDED WE ROLL OVER AND PLAY DEAD!!!
DUKE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 137 From a Mirage Dealer 5-17-08 Sleeping with terrorists! Love it, and so true! MGM Mirage CEO has probably already sold his soul to the devil himself to get City Center completed. It has already cost 5 construction worker's lives, countless casino jobs, and now he has climbed into bed with terrorists. Disgusting - the power of money. I want some. Vote UNION Read all about MGM MIRAGE AND THEIR
POSSIBLE LINK TO TERRORISM! CLICK
HERE.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 136 From a Mirage Dealer 5-17-08 SWING DEALERS GO TO THE PICNIC - GET INFORMED.
Thank you for helping to spread the word!
We hope to see you there as well!
Alice
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 135 From a Mirage Dealer 5-17-08 Attention kiss ass dealers! Feel free to continue kissing any ass you like, but send in your card! I promise they will not know. I am probably one of the biggest kiss ups in the Mirage and I sent my card in months ago! I continue to get the best games, EO's, days off, they have no way of knowing unless I tell them and now, why would I want to go and do that?
We love it! Keep kissing, they love it!
NormaRae
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 134 From a Mirage Dealer 5-17-08 Hi fellow dealers! I have not sent in a card yet. my printer
is broken but I do plan on going to the picnic this week. Will there
be someone there with cards?
Hello my friend! We can't wait to see you
at the picnic!
It seems that lots of dealers are out of
ink, or have no printer.
The TWU should be providing plenty of
Authorization Cards available for you. Take a few extras so that
you can give them to others who may also be out of ink! There
are also people at work willing to get a card for you!
Wynn and Caesars Dealers will surely be at
the picnic, and they are great at answering questions.
It's true that the Security Guards at
MGM-Mirage and Mandalay Bay are organizing with SPFPA Union!
They have also been invited to the picnic. Organizers from the
SPFPA have so much information on the Union-Busters that it
would make your head spin!
I hope you see other dealers from work
also. Being held on a Wednesday (or any one day) limits what
working dealers show up, but there will be lots of people to
talk to!
Alice
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 133 From a Mirage Dealer 5-15-08 Why do we have a Human Resources Department? These people are
completely worthless. I went to them a few times in the past about
problems with scheduling and vacation time (we couldn't get
Saturdays as a vacation, but the asshole scheduler would give people
SR`s and send people home that day). Just recently I wanted know
about the disappearing list for days off. The lady asked if I had
talked to my bosses about it, I had said no, that they are not
approachable and that and I'm not looking to be a trouble maker but
I wanted to know why my name and many other's names have disappeared
off of the list. I was told AGAIN that they WILL NOT do anything
unless I talked to my bosses first. I thought HR was there to help
employees.
Think about it. Who pays HR? Where do
their loyalties lie?
How much help do you really think
you're going to get when the head of HR is having lunch with
Table Games' Management?
Human Resources is there to protect
the Hotel from claims of harassment!
To investigate and nip it in the bud
before the words LAWSUIT can be whispered.
They are not there for us, which has
been proven time and time again.
Dealers.... with a union we can have
our own human resources!
With a union, dealers will never have
to go upstairs alone again!
With a union, we will not have to go
to the Human Resources Department at the Mirage.
All grievances, arbitrations,
complaints, will be handled by our union who represents
us, and not the Mirage.
On property you will have a shop
steward to accompany you for any infraction that management
may file against you.
Dealers... the good old days for
management having complete control of dealers is coming to a
close.
Ask the Caesars and the Wynn dealers
about their new and improved Human Resources (aka the
DEALERS LOCAL 721.)
NormaRae
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 132 From a Mirage Dealer 5-15-08 IT IS EASY TO POST THAT THEY AREN'T TAKING ANY DEALERS FROM MIRAGE TO CITY CENTER. I ALSO HEARD THAT. BUT THERE ARE SOME DEALERS OUT THERE, ESPECIALLY THE ONES IN THE HIGH LIMIT PIT WHO THINK THAT THAT IS NOT THEM. AS FOR ME, I THINK THAT SUCKS. THAT MEANS I WILL BE STUCK IN THIS HOLE FOREVER. SEND IN YOUR CARDS DEALERS WHO THINK THEY ARE GOING TO CITY CENTER.....
Hmm... A few dealers in High Limit
will be very shocked after City Center opens, and they are
still slinging cards in, what use to be, the Mirage High
Limit Room.
Wake up dealers! Send in your cards!
The Mirage will never get to know who
sent in a card unless you tell them!
Be Proud....Be Union
NormaRae
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 131 From a Mirage Dealer 5-12-08 Hey thanks for the info on the teacher petitions! Mine came in the mail today and I will be taking them through my neighborhood tomorrow. How dare our CEO tell me what I should be signing.
You're welcome! We feel the same way! I
have my own voice have had it for more than 60 years and do not
need Mr. Lanni to tell me what's good for the City I live in. I
have already sent my petitions in.
Mr. Lanni will also tell you that the dealers do not need a union. That alone should be enough to get dealers to send in their cards!
DUKE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 130 From a Mirage Dealer 5-11-08
Hi everyone! I heard today that there will be NO transfers to
City Center from the Mirage.
I think this sucks. Why are we considered second class
dealers in this company?
We have also heard the same rumor. All the more reason
to send in a card.
Protect your futures.
Lock in what we have, and negotiate for more, before it
is to late, and before our Mirage is owned and
operated by another one of the many private equity
firms.
DUKE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 129 From a Local Dealer 5-10-08 Hi Mirage dealers. I am a dealer at another MGM/Mirage property. All I want to say is that we too are trying to unionize and you guys need to jump on the U-Train. Steve Wynn is trying his hardest with all his money and big lawyers, and God only knows who else is in his pocket, to get this bill approved, so to continue to seize the dealers tokes and pay his other employees which are really his responsibility as an employer. Shame on him a (so called) man of his caliber doing something so horrendous. So what's next. Are we to pay for those employee's benefits too? Hey why not he is apparently getting away with this. Once the bill passes it will be to late for those that are not under the protection of the TWU union. So Dealers wake up! Smell the Roses because Wynn is smelling the money. Send in your Cards filled out and signed today!
Thank you for writing in. We hope you
are also gathering cards.
The only dealers in town right now
that have been afforded the luxury of not ever having to
worry about their tokes being taken by management are the
Caesars dealers, with the RIO dealers soon to follow.
The management at CP has changed the
attendance policy for their employees. Now you must go 1
full year to drop your points.
Who does not have to follow their new
policy?? The dealers! Their points still drop after six
months.
CP also changed vesting status in the
company 401k plan. Now you must work much longer to be fully
vested. This new policy is effective for everyone except the
dealers who remain at the previous vesting status.
Some very high priced lawyers have put
up a decertification web site for the Wynn dealers.
So far their effort has gained them 2
signatures on the petition that has been floating around for
over a month.
Wynn dealers have nothing more to lose
and everything to gain, so please stop listening to the
union busting rhetoric.
A typical union contract takes at
least 14 months to negotiate. I would say the Wynn is far
from typical.
The Anti-union dealers at the Mirage
should really get informed before they start mouthing off
unsubstantiated information about the dealer local 721.
It is not that hard to get informed.
Go to the TWU dealers forum, talk with the Wynn, Caesars,
Rio dealers,
they can put the lies to rest.
DUKE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 128 From a Mirage Dealer 5-5-08 I see Mr Lanni's message isn't on the front of our Mirage
page. Maybe he has gone to this site too. What do you think.
Oh yes there is a link to Mr. Lanni's
letter right on our front page, as well as a very well
written reply that has been moved to the archives. Check it
out.
Mr. Lanni will NEVER own this web
site. Mr. Lanni cannot make it go away. We are committed to
keeping the Mirage dealers informed and well educated about
unions.
To all the dealers who have
information: interesting links, as well as rumors that need
to be dispelled, and or investigated, feel free to send them
here.
We work for the dealers... NOT Mr.
Lanni!
We will find the teacher petitions and
let all dealers know where they can go to sign them.
NormaRae
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 127 From a Mississippi Dealer 5-3-08 I have been an active member with www.dicedealers.net for several
years. The "Wynn" controversy has led me to numerous dealer sites.
This site interested me because I work for the Beau Rivage in
Biloxi, Ms. The recent lay off of 100 individuals here in Mississippi,
which by the way is approximately 25% of the total MGM lay off, has
left many of us feeling very insecure. We are still recuperating
from Hurricane Katrina and there are not many gaming positions
available.
Thank you for writing in,
Mississippi. Well, we would have to advise you to
contact the TWU. I do not believe they are aware that Beau
Rivage is interested in organizing.
Make them aware. They can help.
Unlike the UAW in Detroit, the TWU in
Vegas is just for dealers. It is a local.
Call the DEALERS LOCAL 721 IN VEGAS,
and ask for either Joe Carbon, or Steve Roberts.
702-476-0648
Dealers across the country have the
right to organize.
We have been taken advantage of for
far too long.
Also, check out the Links page on our
website for more information.
UNITED WE BARGAIN, DIVIDED WE BEG.
DUKE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 126 From a Local Dealer 5-3-08 SINCE the Union has been voted in at Caesars Palace,
management has changed the "point system" to where points drop off
after ONE YEAR. At the date of the election, it was SIX MONTHS.
Guess what? Because the Dealers at Caesars Palace were protected by
"status quo", they STILL get to drop their points after 6 months.
Union saved that for them. I also hear there has been some "vesting"
changes in the 401(k) for the worse. Well, again, because the
Dealers are protected by "status quo" the changes did NOT affect
them.
Great example of what status quo is. It is
protection of what we already have until someday when we can
vote for what we want.
DUKE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 125 From a Mirage Dealer 5-1-08 Is there any legal, official and binding way to permit dealers to "sign" a TWU card directly to the Labor Board via E-mail? There must be some way. Banks, and other legal documents use this method. If not e-mail, what about a fax. I believe more dealers would feel "safer" and more inclined to get on board before any more changes in the middle of the game are decided by the elitist and arrogant corporations. You know they use these methods to buy and sell millions of stocks. There really must be a way to have the same security option. Just a thought.
We don't think anyone is any safer way
than simply PRINTING the Authorization Form at home.
There's NO way to trace something you've
printed at home.
If it's important to you, you should put
it in an envelope with a stamp, and mail it to the TWU office.
You're also WELCOME to go to the TWU office and fill out an
Authorization Card there.
There are also dealers at work willing to
hand carry your Authorization Card to the TWU office.
Some dealers seem to need the excuse that
they can't actually fill out the form online, and yet, other
dealers still refuse to Direct Deposit their paycheck in the
bank for fear that someone will steal their identity!
People just have to make up their mind
that this is what they want to do, once that decision is made,
the fear starts to go away.
Know that this is the best option to
control our own fate. The Corporation is legally bound to STOP
all changes when the Union is voted in! They aren't going to
fire you for filling out a card.
And YES, everyone should get on board
before more changes are made at work!
Alice
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 124 From a Mirage Dealer 4-28-08 OMG!!!
Yes it was quite the day! Dealers
smiling at each other, asking if they had heard the great
news.
I have never seen Dayshift so
exuberant!
Swing shift, you should have no
worries. Our shift boss has been a new man over the past few
months.
Although there was a time when dealers
would get chewed out and pointed at right in the middle of
the pit, but we think those days are over, at least for now.
We will give you fair warning... do
not get on this guys bad side. He has been known to be a bit
vindictive and nobody likes a target on their back.
Contrary to what some people believe,
we did not start this drive because of the day shift boss
and his
sidekick, as horrible as they might
be. All they did was give us the shove we needed to stand up
for our future.
Protecting our tokes, our benefits,
our seniority, our right to be protected with our own human
resources (which would be our union, the TWU local 721.)
To abolish our "at will" employment
status, the favoritism, the intimidation, and most of all
how Mirage policies can change over night with just the
stroke of a pen.
With a Collective Bargaining
Agreement, everything is in writing. Dealers, please send us
the feedback as to why that would be so bad.
If you can't think of any good
reasons, then send in your cards today!!!
We can change our futures with a
Collective Bargaining Agreement that cannot be changed over
night!
DUKE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 123 From a Mirage Dealer 4-28-08 I couldn't agree with you more. ( #120) They will RUN to vote for the color of the dealers room, but won't send in their cards. NOW who is the Ignorant one? I can't believe we are having such a scared bunch of dealers. There are so many elderly ones who you would think would be happy to help the ones coming up after them.
It can be exasperating at times. We
are still quite confident in Mirage dealers eventually
seeing the light at the end of the "at will employment
tunnel".
Just a small update here, Rio Dealers
should be petitioning for their union vote at any time now.
They have worked very hard to join the
Wynn and Caesars Dealers in becoming union members.
Negotiations for both properties are
moving along quite well.
It does take time and since all of
their benefits have remained the same throughout
negotiations, contrary to what a few Mirage bosses have been
saying, Mr. Wynn still must contribute to every dealer's
401k.
Today the Dealers at the Mirage are
concerned about break room paint colors. Next month it could
be how fast we can petition for our UNION vote.
The webmasters of this site believe
Mirage dealers will see the light.
We will not be giving up any time
soon.
This web site is here to stay.
NormaRae
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 122 From a Mirage Dealer 4-27-08 Yes, I see the writing on the wall. Dealers, we have to send in our cards so we have a vote. Either way it goes. Are you going to have a vote on who runs our country, same thing, send in Your Cards so you have a say for your future.
Send in your cards now!!
Stop the crap! Know your rights and
where you stand!
NormaRae
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 121 From a Mirage Security Guard 4-27-08 Hey Dealers,
Congratulations Security! Wow! 80%
very impressive!
Everytime the Culinary gets a new
great contract they take away from the non union employees.
Well, there should be NO non-union
employees!
The union train has rolled into town!
Everyone get on board!
NormaRae
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 120 From a Mirage Dealer 4-26-08 OMG!
If this is the kind of choice Mirage
dealers are looking for... well then so be it.
This dealer will be having none of it.
They can paint the dealers room orange for all I care.
If you feel as I do send in your
cards.
Real change is not the color of the
dealers room.
But it is having a voice in your
future.
NormaRae
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 119 From a Mirage Dealer 4-26-08 This feedback is about Mr. B., who was mentioned as being a
great guy in a previous post.
We could not agree with you more.
Most of the Dealers I have spoken to have a great deal of respect for Mr. B. Some actually do feel like it would be a betrayal to send in a card! This is not true. There is only so much he can do for his dealers. Also, we agree he will be leaving us. The thought of that alone makes this dealer shudder.
NormaRae
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 118 From a Mirage Dealer 4-25-08 I must agree with feedback 111. I've been hearing that a lot from many players, even during Super Bowl and March Madness. Does anybody else see the writing on the wall?
The webmasters of this site prefer to
look at the bright side when City Center opens if (and that
was a very big IF) we are still part of MGM-Mirage! At least
we will not have to worry about them taking all of our
players because the Bellagio already has them!
The Mirage has not exactly been
treating the players we had left as well as they probably
should have for the past 3 or 4 years! And now that the
gravy train has stopped, and most of our play has scattered
to other properties, we are starting to feel the effects.
It's too bad, but because we live off of our tips, we feel
it more than a lot of other employees.
NormaRae
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 117 From a Mirage Dealer 4-25-08
Dealers... Mr. Lanni Sent out emails to our company
employees.
Was it to say thank you for our years of service?
Could it have been to invite us to apply for employment
at the new city center ?
Was it to let us know the company was going to match us
dollar for dollar in our 401ks?
Was it to inform us that during these tough economic
time's he would be forgoing his bonus so that he would not
have to terminate anymore employees?
I must say I was truly shocked at his pandering to his
employees to save his company from a possible raise in
gaming revenue tax.
After Reading my letter two things stood out. A 44%
increase was mentioned twice but curiously what was not
mentioned was 44% of what? MGM MIRAGE employee's would like
to know.
10% or maybe 9.25% which is what Atlantic city casinos
have been managing to pay for years.
Maybe it is 24% which is what MGM MIRAGE Detroit casinos
are paying.
| |||
