LAS VEGAS (PAI) – Now billionaire businessman Donald Trump, who often proclaims in his GOP presidential nomination campaign that he wants to “make America great again!” will have to put his money where his mouth is.
That’s because his own Las Vegas Trump hotel workers, seeking to better themselves, voted to join Culinary Workers Local 226, Unite Here’s largest local, and Bartenders Local 165, also of Unite Here.
The union did not release voting tallies after the Dec. 5 count, but said an absolute majority of the Trump hotel’s 500 workers voted to unionize
The workers “want respect, dignity, and the Las Vegas union standard,” said Geoconda Arguello-Kline, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 226. “Trump Las Vegas should recognize the workers’ vote immediately and sit down with us to negotiate a contract as soon as possible.”
The Trump hotel’s drive drew extra notice in the last few months because owner Donald Trump leads in polls for the Republican presidential nomination – and because his campaign, playing on resentments by people who feel left behind – proclaims as its goal to “Make America Great Again!”
That led Unite Here, earlier this year, to boost its drive by telling workers that in his own hotel, Trump was not living up to his own slogan. Their organizing drew support from all three Democratic presidential contenders: Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and Martin O’Malley.
The union also challenged Trump to override the anti-worker views of one of his sons, Eric, an executive in his father’s enterprises. Eric Trump had predicted in the Las Vegas Sun that the union would lose. There’s been no response, yet, from Donald Trump.
“I’m so happy that our voices were heard and votes counted!” said Carmen Llarull, a guest room attendant, told Unite Here. “My coworkers and I look forward to negotiating a fair contract and making our lives better.”
“I’m proud to work at this 5-star hotel and am even prouder that we have joined the union,” added food server Alma Zamarin. “My coworkers and I need fair wages, good benefits, and job security at the Trump Las Vegas, just like workers at other non-gaming properties on the Las Vegas Strip.”
Photo: TripAdvisor
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