The City Council backed the union representing dealers after MGM has refused to come to the table to negotiate.
Reminder Publishing photo by Ryan Feyre
SPRINGFIELD — MGM Springfield is refusing to negotiate a new contract with poker and table game dealers, despite the fact the workers won an election to unionize 14 months ago.
On May 12, the City Council threw their weight behind Local 301 of New England Joint Board UNITE HERE in the form of a resolution that “strongly urges” MGM to negotiate a contract with the union that is “fair and in the interests of all concerned and in compliance with labor law.”
“Part of the reason why we approved MGM to come to Springfield was to provide union jobs and also to allow people to collectively bargain for their wages and right now, that’s not happening,” said At-Large City Councilor Sean Curran, the initial sponsor of the resolution.
The union, which represents about 400 to 500 workers — including the approximately 250 that voted to unionize last March — is arguing that MGM is breaking the federal labor law by refusing to negotiate.
According to Laurie Andrews, president of the new Local 301 and slot attendant at MGM Springfield, the National Labor Relations Board certified NEJB of UNITE HERE as the exclusive collective bargaining representative for the dealers.
Andrews said MGM has negotiated with the union multiple times in the past but are declining to do so with the dealers despite what the union says was a “fair election” last year.
Representatives from MGM Springfield could not be reached for comment, as of press time.
“MGM has appealed [the election] three times, and three times they have lost,” Andrews said. “All MGM has to do is sit down with us and negotiate.”
Chelsea Rowell, an organizer with UNITED HERE, told the council on May 12 that MGM is continuing to engage in “dilatory litigation, taking advantage of federal chaos in order to avoid recognizing the leaders.”
“Labor law exists not just for the benefit of workers, but also for the benefit of economies and communities,” Rowell said. “Collective bargaining protects by preventing strikes and decreasing turnover. When employers lose respect for the collective bargaining process and the law, they are contributing to economic instability and undermining the progress that we’ve made since the early days of the labor movement.”
At-Large City Councilor Tracye Whitfield recalled when the City Council’s Casino Oversight Committee fought hard for the workers during the time when the city was negotiating the host community agreement with MGM.
She promised that the body will fight for the union and urged the council to invite MGM back to the table.
“I think that’s very sad that they won’t even show up for us, so we need to invite them again, and we need to make calls to them,” Whitfield said. “We are made for this moment, so we’re going to fight for you all.”
Although Curran was the one to introduce the resolution, every city councilor signed on as a co-sponsor by the end of the discussion.
“I have to say how shocked and disappointed I was when I found out that the dealers have not been able to meet with MGM,” said At-Large City Councilor Kateri Walsh. “They’ve done everything right … they’re working hard, they’re keeping the casino going … and I don’t understand why [MGM] wouldn’t want to meet with the people that are helping them make a profit.”
If MGM finally decides to join negotiations, the union says they will seek better wages and fair scheduling hours. Currently, most dealers rely on tips and a minimum wage rate of $7.15 an hour.
Some councilors were miffed by that number.
“There’s no reason why a president of a company like that should be making that much money and the employees are making minimum wage and depending on tips,” said Ward 8 City Councilor Zaida Govan. “We need to hold [MGM] accountable, and we need to continue to fight for regular people.”
Former Springfield Mayor Mike Albano was also in attendance at the council meeting to back the union and the resolution by Curran. As someone who has been around organized labor and labor negotiations his whole life, Albano said he has never seen a situation like this before.
He was distraught by the fact that MGM Resorts International CEO William Hornbuckle makes $15 million a year and yet refuses to sit down with dealers who barely make above minimum wage.
The former mayor told the council that the fight will not end.
“MGM’s in violation of the law,” Albano said. “Our next step is to bring the Gaming Commission to Springfield, and let’s have a hearing on this. Let’s hold MGM’s feet to the fire.”
