The main union of hotel and restaurant workers has sued another union, accusing it of violating a promise by pressing a rival campaign to organize workers at tribal casinos in California.þþThe hotel workers' union, Unite Here, points out that it was granted exclusive jurisdiction by the A.F.L.-C.I.O. in 2001 to organize employees in California's fast-growing casino industry. But the other union, the Communications Workers of America, defends the legitimacy of its campaign, noting that it already represents employees at two casinos as a result of contracts that were signed before the labor federation conferred that jurisdiction.þþThe communications workers began their organizing efforts at California casinos six years ago. But they later promised to stop, said John W. Wilhelm, president of Unite Here's hospitality division, adding that he was dismayed to discover that they were now trying to organize 800 workers near Palm Springs at the Morongo Casino in Cabazon, where Unite Here had itself undertaken an organizing drive.þþEmployment at California's tribal casinos is expected to double to nearly 50,000 in this decade, making their work force a prize for Unite Here, which represents employees at most organized casinos around the country. The union already has contracts with two tribal casinos in California and is trying to negotiate agreements with two others where it has won recognition. þþIts suit against the communications workers, filed last week in the Federal District Court in Washington, alleges a breach of contract. It cites a letter that the communications workers' president, Morton Bahr, sent to Mr. Wilhelm last year stating, ÿC.W.A. recognizes Here's exclusive jurisdiction over the California tribal gaming industry granted by the A.F.L.-C.I.O., which C.W.A. supports.ÿ Unite Here says that in exchange for that assurance, it promised not to challenge the legitimacy of the agreements that the communications workers already had with two casinos.þþIn addition to suing, Unite Here has asked the federation, which regulates jurisdictional disputes among unions, to order the communications workers to stop their organizing efforts at California casinos.þþJeff Miller, a spokesman for the communications workers, declined to discuss the dispute, saying the matter was before the A.F.L.-C.I.O.þþÿWe represent workers in many sectors,ÿ Mr. Miller said, ÿand we're always eager to help workers organize wherever.ÿþþUnite Here was formed last summer by the merger of the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union, known as Here, and the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees, or Unite. For more than a decade, the hotel employees have worked intensely with California governors and legislators - and spent millions of dollars - to gain the right to unionize workers at tribal casinos.þþÿThe ability to organize the industry is solely and directly the result of our union's political and legislative effort,ÿ Mr. Wilhelm said in a letter to leaders of other unions, seeking support against the communications workers. ÿC.W.A. has no business in the gaming industry.ÿþþThe letter said the communications workers negotiated weaker contracts than those won by Unite Here. It said several of the wealthiest tribes had approached other unions because they did not want to deal with Mr. Wilhelm's. The Teamsters and several other unions turned down the advances, it said, but the communications workers accepted, a step that led to their two contracts with casinos, both in the San Diego area.þþIndian tribes have often maintained that as sovereign nations, they are protected from union organizing at their casinos. But in allowing tribes to build off-reservation casinos, some states, including California, have required that they accept the right of unions to represent workers at casinos both on reservations and off.þþThe dispute between Unite Here and the communications workers comes as Mr. Wilhelm considers whether to challenge John J. Sweeney, the incumbent, for the A.F.L.-C.I.O.'s presidency in an election this July. Labor leaders say Mr. Wilhelm's decision will turn in part on whether a union with which he is close - the Service Employees International Union, the federation's largest - carries out its threat to bolt, a move that would leave him with far less support.þþþþ
Source: NY Times
