FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, November 29, 2018
Media Contact:
Bethany Khan ▪ BKhan@culinaryunion226.org ▪ (702) 387-7088
Federal government finds Station Casinos’ Green Valley Ranch in violation of federal labor law, orders it to bargain with Culinary and Bartenders Unions
Las Vegas, NV – This week the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in Washington, DC issued an order finding that Station Casinos’ Green Valley Ranch Resort Spa & Casino has unlawfully refused to recognize and bargain with the Culinary and Bartenders Unions. Station Casinos, which is Nevada’s third-largest private employer, is now operating in violation of federal labor law at Green Valley Ranch by refusing to recognize and bargain with the Unions. The Culinary Union continues to call on Station Casinos to begin contract negotiations in good faith immediately.
John F. Ring, Chairman of the NLRB wrote November 26, 2018:
“By failing and refusing since July 23 to recognize and bargain with the Union as the exclusive collective bargaining representative of employees in the appropriate unit, the Respondent has engaged in unfair labor practices…”
“The National Labor Relations Board orders that the Respondent, Station GVR Acquisition, LLC d/b/a Green Valley Ranch Resort Spa Casino, Henderson, Nevada, its officers, agents, successors, and assigns, shall
1. Cease and desist from
(a) Failing and refusing to recognize and bargain with Local Joint Executive Board of Las Vegas a/w UNITE HERE International Union (the Union) as the exclusive collective-bargaining representative of the employees in the bargaining unit.”
Workers at Green Valley Ranch voted by the overwhelming margin of 78% in favor of unionizing in November 2017, but instead of recognizing that result, Station Casinos has tried to overturn the election through a series of unsuccessful and lengthy legal challenges. This week’s ruling by the NLRB is the latest legal setback for Station Casinos, which has lost at every round, and yet the company says it will continue to fight the Unions’ election victory in the courts.
“We urge Station Casinos to recognize their workers’ voices and votes at Green Valley Ranch and begin contract negotiations in good faith immediately,” said Geoconda Argüello-Kline, Secretary-Treasurer for the Culinary Union.
“It’s time for Station Casinos to do the right thing and negotiate with us,” said Barbara Tivas, a Banquet Server at Green Valley Ranch. “I voted ‘YES’ to unionize because I work hard everyday. I will never stop fighting for justice and dignity for my coworkers and our families.”
Station Casinos has said many times that it would respect their employees’ right to hold an NLRB election:
- “We have said all along that if a fair and lawful election is held we will abide by the results.” - Richard Haskins, president of Station Casinos (Las Vegas Review Journal – September 1, 2016)
- “We…support their right to join a union if they so choose as that decision is theirs, not ours, to make.” – Lori Nelson, Station Casinos spokeswoman (Las Vegas Sun - February 12, 2016).
- “We’ve always respected our employees’ right to join a union if that’s what they want to do.” – Lori Nelson, Station Casinos spokeswoman (Las Vegas Sun - January 20, 2016)
- “Station Casinos officials have said they are willing to allow a secret-ballot vote” (Las Vegas Review Journal - October 7, 2014)
- “The decision to join a union belongs to our team members, and we respect that right.” – Lori Nelson, Station Casinos spokeswoman (Las Vegas Sun – August 29, 2014)
- “We’ve made it really clear that the door is open for a secret-ballot election.” - Lori Nelson, Station Casinos spokeswoman (Wall Street Journal – March 22, 2013)
- “Station saying a secret-ballot election is allowed and welcomed.” (Las Vegas Sun – January 22, 2012)
- “We have always recognized our team members’ right to be represented by a union if they so choose.” – Lori Nelson, Station Casinos spokeswoman (Las Vegas Review Journal – February 17, 2011)
Workers at a Station Casinos-managed tribal casino in California ratified a first union contract in October 2015. Station Casino workers at four Las Vegas properties have unionized following NLRB elections: Boulder Station (September 2016), Palace Station (March 2017), Green Valley Ranch (November 2018), and The Palms (April 2018). Like Green Valley Ranch, The Palms has wage a series of losing legal challenges against the Union’s solid victory there.
During the two-day election conducted by the NLRB, 730 Green Valley Ranch workers voted by a landslide 78% “YES” for the union. Approximately 900 Green Valley Ranch workers are represented by the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165, Nevada affiliates of UNITE HERE. Station Casinos is the operating subsidiary of Red Rock Resorts, Inc. (NASDAQ: RRR).
Green Valley Ranch, a AAA Four Diamond Award-winning property, is the first boutique luxury resort built off the Las Vegas Strip, according to the company. Green Valley Ranch has approximately 495 hotel rooms, 2,262 slots, and 48 gaming tables and is owned and operated by Station Casinos, the third-largest private-sector employer in Southern Nevada with 10 casino hotels and 10 casino taverns in the region. Red Rock Resorts (NASDAQ: RRR) became the parent company of Station Casinos through an IPO in 2016. The company is controlled by Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta, billionaire supporters of President Donald Trump. In addition to the unionized Boulder Station, Palace Station, Green Valley Ranch, and Palms, the company’s other casino-hotels in Las Vegas include: Red Rock Resort, Santa Fe Station, Sunset Station, and Texas Station, Fiesta Henderson, Fiesta Rancho.
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ABOUT THE CULINARY UNION:
Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165, Nevada affiliates of UNITE HERE, represent over 57,000 workers in Las Vegas and Reno, including at most of the casino resorts on the Las Vegas Strip and in Downtown Las Vegas. UNITE HERE represents 270,000 workers in gaming, hotel, and food service industries in North America.
The Culinary Union, through the Culinary Health Fund, is one of the largest healthcare consumers in the state. The Culinary Health Fund is sponsored by the Culinary Union and Las Vegas-area employers. It provides health insurance coverage for over 143,000 Nevadans, the Culinary Union’s members and their dependents.
The Culinary Union is Nevada’s largest immigrant organization with over 57,000 members - a diverse membership that is approximately 55% women and 54% Latino. Members - who work as guest room attendants, bartenders, cocktail and food servers, porters, bellmen, cooks, and kitchen workers - come from 173 countries and speak over 40 different languages. The Culinary Union has been fighting for fair wages, job security, and good health benefits for working men and women in Nevada for 83 years.
CulinaryUnion226.org / @Culinary226