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Union Launches Web Site about Aladdin Labor Dispute7 August 2003LAS VEGAS--(Press Release)-- Today, the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 is launching a new Web site for visitors and meeting and convention coordinators planning a visit to Las Vegas about the labor dispute at the Aladdin Resort & Casino in Las Vegas: www.LVAladdinAlert.info. Visitors to the Web site can read news about the labor dispute and ongoing union actions, get links to alternative hotel accommodations in Las Vegas, register for e-mail updates and find other information of interest to customers. A majority of Aladdin employees are seeking to join the Culinary and Bartenders Union Locals 226 & 165. They want a contract to guarantee job security, and the same wages, benefits and working conditions as the other 50,000 union members in the Las Vegas Strip casinos. "Unfortunately, unlike most of the other casinos on the Strip, like the MGM Grand, Bellagio and Mandalay Bay, Aladdin management is refusing to respect the choice of a majority of employees to form a union," said Genevieve Parente, a Culinary Union spokesperson. As a result of Aladdin management's current stance in this labor dispute, it is very likely that there will be demonstrations and picket lines in the coming weeks and months. These actions could be an inconvenience for guests and visitors. In 2001, the non-union Aladdin Resort & Casino declared bankruptcy. In June 2003, a joint partnership of Planet Hollywood, Starwood Hotels and Bay Harbour agreed to purchase the Aladdin for more than $500 million. The deal is expected to close after the partnership obtains a gaming license from the Nevada Gaming Commission, a process that will take six to 12 months or possibly longer. "While management and the new owners have promised that employees will be guaranteed their jobs when the Aladdin is sold to the Planet Hollywood group, employees want a signed union contract with the company to ensure those promises are kept," said Parente. The more than 1,000 Aladdin employees seeking a union represent such departments as housekeeping, kitchen workers, food servers, porters and bartenders. |