Tropicana corrupted union vote, judge rules

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/186/story/85167.html

By ERIK ORTIZ Staff Writer, 609-272-7253
Published: Tuesday, February 19, 2008

ATLANTIC CITY - An election to unionize security workers at Tropicana Casino and Resort is getting a second chance, after a judge found that casino supervisors used "objectionable conduct" in their attempt to sway voters.

In a ruling Wednesday that followed an investigation by the National Labor Relations Board, Administrative Law Judge Paul Buxbaum supported some of the testimony by casino workers and members of the Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America, or SPFPA, who alleged Tropicana management allowed for unlawful surveillance and interrogated members. The judge ordered that a new election must be held.

The SPFPA was on the losing end of a 63-62 vote in October to organize about 134 security workers at Tropicana.

It first filed a complaint about Tropicana's labor practices before the election.

In his ruling, Buxbaum said: Casino supervisors exhibited a pattern of "close and intimidating surveillance" when members passed out literature outside of the building or held other solicitation activity.

n A supervisor prior to election day told workers that if they voted against the union, Columbia Sussex Corp., then-operator of the casino, would look favorably on their department's personnel.

n The one-vote margin was a factor in recommending a second election - any misconduct by the casino could have influenced voters, easily reversing the election's outcome.

The ruling also spotlighted some of the alleged tactics and statements made to security workers. They included supervisors sending memos that said the union had "nothing to offer but empty promises and a hand in your pocket" and anti-union employees who said a union victory would result in the loss of vacation, personal and sick days.

FULL story at link.