Nevada casino lawsuit over pandemic job loss gains union support
The Culinary Union is backing a lawsuit filed by Station Casinos workers who lost their jobs because of the pandemic.
Station Casinos has been sued in civil court by 76 non-union hospitality workers who allege the private employer is breaking state law by refusing to hire back its employees who were laid off in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic shutdowns, according to the Culinary Union.
The workers who filed the suit described the incident as a “flagrant violation” of Nevada’s “right to return” policy when it comes to layoffs.
The Culinary Union is publicly backing the lawsuit. The union represents more than more than 60,000 hotel housekeepers, bartenders and porters.
Station Casinos is one of Nevada’s largest private employers, ranking the third highest according to Ted Pappageorge, who is the union secretary-treasurer. It operates nine casino-hotels in the Las Vegas area, as well as ten bars, restaurants and sports betting properties.
Its officials declined to comment about its number of employees.
Pappageorge addressed reporters, along with a room full of supporters and plaintiffs during a rally at the Culinary Union hall.
“They demand the right to be rehired, and reinstatement into job positions in which they are qualified,” Pappageorge said.
The union said 80% of those who were laid off have been rehired since Nevada initiated reopening casinos in early June 2020, but thousands were still left looking for other places to work.
“They cannot decide to toss you out like an old shoe, or trash to kick to the curb,” said Pappageorge.
Barbara Tivas also spoke at the rally. She was one of the five plaintiffs in attendance.
“We are human beings who have not been treated fairly,” she said.
Tivas worked for 13 years as a server at Green Valley Ranch in Henderson before losing her job during the pandemic shutdowns. She has not yet been rehired.
Station Casinos issued a statement regarding the suit and the demonstrations that have followed: “All of this noise is designed to distract from the fact that the Culinary Union failed its members.”
Las Vegas US District Judge Gloria Navarro has ordered the company not to threaten, discipline or interfere with employees who are union members or those who support the union.
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