PURPLE POWER PLAY ON THE LAS VEGAS STRIP - SEIU is raiding Nevada’s largest union, UNITE-HERE

[Omaha Steve]

http://gangbox.wordpress.com/2009/04/27/purple-power-play-on-the-las-vegas-strip-seiu-is-raiding-nevadas-largest-union-unite-here-local-226/

from the LAS VEGAS SUN:

LABOR:
Another union seeks Culinary’s right to organize Strip workers

By Michael Mishak

Sun, Apr 26, 2009 (2 a.m.)

A month ago, when labor leader Andy Stern was drumming up excitement over a nationwide campaign to organize hotel and casino workers, he said his union wouldn’t set up shop on the Strip.

This was, after all, Culinary country.

“We are certainly not intending to go raid anybody,” Stern said at the time. “We don’t think there’s a need in Las Vegas for another union to represent the hospitality workers that are there.”

That was then.

An affiliate of his Service Employees International Union is now knocking on doors. It wants in.

The affiliate, called Workers United, sent letters this month to gaming companies in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, asking for the same organizing rights afforded the Culinary and its parent union, Unite Here. Letters were also sent to hospitality and food service companies across the country where Unite Here represents workers.

The action is the latest chapter in the escalating rivalry between two of the nation’s most progressive unions, with the hotel workers union accusing the service workers of attempting to cut into Unite Here membership and turf.

FULL story at link.

[pleah]

1. K&R

[zanne]

2. That doesn't make one union better than the other...

Though I do belong to NH for Healthcare, which operates under the auspices of SEIU. Our healthcare movement is strong and it's becoming very, very helpful to NH legislators who want to see healthcare reform become a reality. I'm proud to be a part of it.