Labor complaint against Station Casinos alleges unfair practices; validity disputed

The National Labor Relations Board has issued a complaint against Station Casinos, alleging unfair labor practices related to organizing efforts by the Culinary Local 226.

Station Casinos on Thursday pointed out, however, that charges by the union alleging that some employees were unlawfully terminated were withdrawn prior to the complaint being issued.

"The union's withdrawal indicates that either the union or the NLRB determined that the union's allegations were without merit, and would have been dismissed absent withdrawal," Station Casinos spokeswoman Lori Nelson said. "The union's withdrawal stands in stark contrast to the union's public statements, campaign of misinformation and attempts to vilify Station Casinos."

Union spokeswoman Maya Holmes declined to discuss the charges that were withdrawn or the complaint.

"We received the complaint earlier this week and we're analyzing it," Holmes said. "We will comment on it at a later date."

In the complaint issued May 28 , the labor board alleges that some of Station Casinos' managers, supervisors and employees engaged in anti-union activities.

The allegations include claims that Station Casinos unlawfully interrogated employees about union sympathies and activities, implemented overly broad and discriminatory rules prohibiting employees from wearing union buttons, ordered employees to supervisors' offices for wearing union buttons, and promised workers increased benefits and wages to reject union organization efforts.

The complaint also alleges that some workers' schedules were changed to interfere with second jobs.

The union filed its unfair labor practice charges in late February and March, accusing the locals gaming company of "violating federal labor law in over 100 incidents by threatening, surveilling, physically assaulting and intimidating workers for their union activities."

Station Casinos has until June 11 to respond to the complaint. A hearing is set for Aug. 16.

Nelson said the company will vigorously defend against the allegations.

Contact reporter Arnold M. Knightly at aknightly@reviewjournal.com
or 702-477-3893.