Latest News - April 2015

April 7, 2015
Labor board files complaint over action by Rivers Casino involving workers trying to unionize
Source: PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE
By: Mark Belko

Rivers Casino is facing a complaint filed by the National Labor Relations Board over allegations that some employees were interrogated about their union activities and in one case threatened with "unspecified reprisals" as a result of them.

The complaint, dated March 31, relates to an incident in the casino's Wheelhouse Sports Bar on Nov. 21, 2014, during which a supervisor and an assistant manager questioned employees about "their union membership, activities and sympathies," according to the complaint.

The supervisor "disparaged the union" to employees "by referring to gang membership," the complaint stated. He also threatened employees "with unspecified reprisals because they engaged in union activities," it said.

Jon Scolnik, spokesman for Steel City Casino Workers Council, a coalition of unions helping workers at the casino in their bid to unionize, said at the time of the incident, the affected workers were wearing wristbands with a message supporting a fair attendance policy. The complaint was based on an unfair labor practice charge filed by Unite Here, Local 57, one of the unions helping workers to organize.

In a statement responding to the complaint, Jack Horner, casino spokesman, said, "We cannot comment on matters pending before the NLRB. Rivers Casino is proud to have been voted one of Pittsburgh's ‘Best Places to Work’ by our team members, and we respect their rights to choose whether to be represented by a union."

The casino has until next week to formally answer the complaint. It faces a labor relations board hearing on the allegations May 19.