August 20, 2015
By john Quinn, LaborPress USA
Las Vegas, Nevada, Employees from Trump International Hotel Las Vegas have been demonstrating for pay equality and the right to join a union. Over 500 Trump Las Vegas employees are seeking to unionize so that they can have the American Dream and have a better life for themselves and their families.
"Donald Trump says he wants to make America great again,'" said Geoconda Arguello-Kline, Secretary-Treasurer for the Culinary Workers Union Local 226. "Mr. Trump should start right here in Las Vegas with workers at his hotel. Many of them are immigrants who work hard to provide for their families. They deserve equal treatment and should be respected for their contributions to this great city."
In June 2014, five Trump Las Vegas employees were unfairly suspended for exercising their legal right to wear a union button and organize their coworkers. After the Culinary Union filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against the Trump Las Vegas, these workers were returned to work with back pay. In June 2015, the Culinary Union filed additional charges with the NLRB asserting that the Trump Las Vegas violated the federally protected rights of workers to participate in union activities. Some of the new charges include incidents of alleged physical assault, verbal abuse, intimidation, and threats by management.
"I came from Mexico many years ago and became an American citizen to have a better opportunity for me and my family," said Maria Jaramillo, a housekeeper at the Trump Las Vegas. "This country is a nation of immigrants, and we all work hard and deserve to be treated fairly."
*** Culinary Workers Union Local 226 and Bartenders Union Local 165 are Nevada affiliates of UNITE HERE.
