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Copa Casino Workers Fired After Hurricane

GULFPORT, Mississippi – As reported by the Biloxi Sun Herald: "Instead of receiving three months pay and benefits like other displaced casino workers on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, employees of the Copa Casino say they got a final paycheck and a termination letter the same day Hurricane Katrina struck.

"Katrina slammed into Mississippi, destroying several coast casinos including those owned by Las Vegas-based corporations, Harrah's Entertainment and MGM Mirage. While Harrah's and MGM Mirage workers received three months pay and benefits, Copa Casino workers say the company that prided itself on being locally owned and operated isn't providing the same level of compassion.

"The workers say they were fired Aug. 29, the day Hurricane Katrina made landfall.

"…Rick Quinn, an executive with the Copa, said the company 'is not a big corporation.'

"'We didn't have a war chest in a corporate headquarters some place. We had very limited money,' Quinn said. 'The decision was made by the owners that if we're to get the casino back in business, we need to keep every penny that we've got right now.'

"…Treasure Bay Casino, which was suing its insurer to recover damages from past storms, also did not provide severance pay to its workers…"

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